Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capital Region Economic Development Corporation Announce 2026 Board Leadership, New Board Members
Harrisburg, Pa. (January 13, 2026) – The Harrisburg Regional Chamber Board of Directors and the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) Board of Directors announced the organizations’ 2026 Board Chairs, officers, and newly elected board members.
Alisa Harris, Vice President of Government Affairs at The Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs, will serve as Chair of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber Board of Directors. Beth Peiffer, Owner and President of Ralph E. Jones, Inc., will serve as Chair of the CREDC Board of Directors.
Ryan Unger, Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC President & CEO shared, “With Alisa and Beth stepping into these leadership roles, the Chamber and CREDC are well positioned to build on strong momentum. Their leadership will help advance strategic priorities that support employers, attract investment, and create sustainable economic growth throughout our region.”
Alisa E. Harris is a seasoned government affairs and external relations executive with extensive experience leading legislative, regulatory, and stakeholder engagement efforts for private, public and non-profit sectors. She currently serves as Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs, advocating on behalf of the largest YMCA network in the country. Harris previously held leadership roles with UGI Corporation, Exelon Generation, Waste Management and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, where she served five governors. She is Chair of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber Board of Directors and Secretary of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence. Harris holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from James Madison University.
“The Harrisburg region’s strength has always come from the diversity of opportunity we create together. I am honored to take the helm of the Chamber’s board to drive our efforts for smart, sustainable economic growth that lifts every corner of our community,” Harris said. “It is people who power this region — our workforce, our innovative entrepreneurs, our community advocates. I believe we share a responsibility to build a community that attracts talent, supports employers, and strengthens our region for years to come.”
Beth Peiffer is the owner and operator of Ralph E. Jones, Inc., a painting, wallcovering, and specialty coatings contractor serving the Mid-Atlantic region for more than 100 years. A graduate of The Pennsylvania State University holding an M.B.A., Peiffer brings decades of leadership experience in business and community engagement. She has served on numerous nonprofit and advisory boards throughout the Harrisburg region and is committed to advancing sustainable economic growth and community development.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity and contribute to meaningful work that impacts our region,” Peiffer said. “Collaboration between business, government, educational institutions, community, and workforce leaders is essential to creating lasting opportunity. I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members to help move initiatives forward to strengthen our communities and enhance quality of life.”
The additional slate of 2026 Harrisburg Regional Chamber officers are as follows:
- Chair: Alisa Harris, The Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs
- Vice Chair: Abigail Fortino, Conrad Siegel
- 2nd Vice Chair: Alison Bernhardt, Benchmark Construction
- Treasurer: Mike McHenry, Ainsworth Inc.
- Secretary: Greg Mitstifer, UPMC Central PA Region
- Immediate Past Chair: Kara Beem, Keystone Enginuity
The additional slate of 2026 CREDC officers are as follows:
- Chair: Beth Peiffer, Ralph E. Jones, Inc.
- Vice Chair: Jeffrey Smith, Alexander Building Construction Co.
- 2nd Vice Chair: Andrew Hetrick, M&T Bank
- Treasurer: Alex Reber, Miller Dixon Drake PC
- Secretary: Lisa Hughes Gabler, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
- Immediate Past Chair: Shawn Leppo, McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
The Chamber & CREDC boards also added new directors. The new board members elected for 2026 includes the following.
Chamber Board of Directors:
- Ashley Flower, The GIANT Company
- Mona Miliner, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
CREDC Board of Directors:
- Virginia Burd, Harristown Enterprises
- Evan Dickinson, S&T Bank
- Jason Hunt, PPL
- Eric Kunkle, Property Management Inc.
- Eric Rensel, Rensel Consulting
A complete list of Chamber and CREDC board members can be found at: https://www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org/about/board-of-directors/
About the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC
For 140 years, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC has served as the region’s catalyst for economic prosperity. The organization combines business, community, and economic development services to enhance the region’s vitality and livability. The Chamber is a five-star accredited chamber through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—a distinction held by fewer than 1 percent of chambers nationwide. CREDC is the Certified Economic Development Organization (CEDO) approved by the Commonwealth’s Department of Community and Economic Development to perform economic development activities using Pennsylvania’s funding programs in Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties.
