HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS From left are CEO Jason Fitzgerald, CCEP Board Chairman Dave Harger, Chamber & Leadership Director Megan Wheeler and Director of Chamber and Tourism Marketing Christopher Miller.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS
From left are CEO Jason Fitzgerald, CCEP Board Chairman Dave Harger, Chamber & Leadership Director Megan Wheeler and Director of Chamber and Tourism Marketing Christopher Miller.

LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County Economic Partnership held its annual meeting and election of officers Wednesday evening, giving community members a first look at the organization’s new leadership.

Incoming President and CEO Jason Fitzgerald addressed members for the first time, sharing his vision for the organization, which also welcomed new staff members, Christopher Miller and Melissa Dally.

“There’s a lot to be done, but I think we have a great group of people on the board, and we have a great community here,” said CEO Jason Fitzgerald. “I very much look forward to working with all of you.”

As chief executive, he will lead the partnership’s business development efforts, attract tourism and promote Clinton County as “an economic opportunity destination.”

Since taking the role a month ago, Fitzgerald has met with local businesses to grow the partnership’s membership. He said he intends to create incentives to attract new regional businesses but stressed he won’t overlook those already established in the area. He hopes to add about 100 members to reach a total of 400 organizations in the partnership.

Recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s top lobbyists, Fitzgerald brings experience in public-private partnerships, community revitalization and strategic development from his career in state politics and as president of Penn Strategies, a statewide grant writing and economic development firm. He intends to apply his appropriations experience to enhance the partnership’s grant offerings.

“We are available to assist anybody with formation of grant applications to either state or federal sources,” he said, adding that the partnership will also offer its own funding. “We have at least $100,000 we’re going to be granting.”

Fitzgerald emphasized that the partnership’s work is a team effort and said the organization’s new staff will help carry it forward.

The new hires are Christopher Miller, their first director of chamber & tourism marketing, and Melissa Dally, who will join as tourism director on Sept. 22.

“We liked both of them,” explained Fitzgerald. “They both had very unique skill sets that they could bring to the organization, so what we decided to do was bring both of them on so that we can benefit from both of their skillsets”

Miller, who has worked in marketing and communications for Penn State University, freelances as a correspondent for The Record and handles marketing and business development for Cross Life Ventures, said his love for the area is what drew him to the new role.

“One of my favorite things to do — it might sound a little weird — is leave Record newspapers or visitor’s guides anywhere I go,” Miller said. “You never know where you’re going to find someone to come out here to visit.”

He said he intends to use his print and digital marketing skills to revive the partnership’s online presence and promote Clinton County as a vibrant place to live, work and visit.

He will also assist members with grant writing in support of Fitzgerald’s initiatives.

“I work with the partnership, but I work for you — the members,” he said.

The partnership also elected five new Operating Board members, who will serve three-year terms.

Six candidates were up for the five positions: Carley Anderson, M&R Contracting; Dan Harger; Darlene Weaver, partnership treasurer; Laura Murnyack, Renovo Community Trade Association; Kyle Peters, JJ Peters Disposal; and Nicole Picerno of UPMC.

Anderson, Harger, Weaver and Peters claimed four of the seats, while Murnyack and Picerno tied for the fifth. In a tiebreaker, Murnyack, representing the Renovo Community Trade Association, was chosen.

Speaking about the Clinton County Economic Partnership’s new leadership, Board Chairman Dave Harger said, “I feel like things are falling in place at a critical time for us — the partnership — to move forward.”

“We’ve got some rock stars,” he added.