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Karen Gunnison of Gunnison Consulting LLC named Chamber Board Chair, Wade Becker of RKL LLP named CREDC Board Chair
Harrisburg, Pa. (January 24, 2023) – The Harrisburg Regional Chamber Board of Directors and the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) Board of Directors are pleased to announce the organization’s 2023 Board Chairs and new board members. Karen Gunnison of Gunnison Consulting LLC will serve as the Harrisburg Regional Chamber Board of Directors Chair, and Wade Becker of RKL LLP will serve as the CREDC Board of Directors Chair.
“Karen and Wade have exemplified the bold and visionary leadership skills we look for to help us move the region forward,” said Ryan Unger, President and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. “With their guidance and leadership, we look forward to achieving our goals for 2023 and to continue to serve the businesses in our community.”
Gunnison is owner of Gunnison Consulting LLC, which offers marketing and communications services. In serving her clients, she employs skills honed during a career rich in experiences. Prior to starting her own business, Karen served as Director of Corporate Communications and PR at Capital Blue Cross. She also served as chief of staff to the First Lady of Pennsylvania and as executive director of the Murata Business Center, the business incubator then operated by CREDC. Gunnison started her career practicing law at Wix, Wenger & Weidner in Harrisburg, where she was partner with a general business practice.
In addition to serving on the board of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, Karen is a board member of LeTort Trust and Harristown Enterprises. Throughout her career, she has served on various community boards and committees, including as past chair of AAA Central Penn and past chair of The Nativity School of Harrisburg. Karen and her husband, Brad, live in Mechanicsburg and have two grown children and two grandchildren.
“I’m honored to work alongside area business leaders and a dynamic staff to support an organization so integral to the strength of the region’s business community,” Gunnison said. “I have been proud to work with the Chamber for many years and look forward to helping the Chamber continue to support and advocate for businesses of all sizes, while providing bold leadership and powerful results to our visionary members and region.”
Becker is a Partner in RKL’s Audit Services Group and Leader of the RKL Manufacturing and Distribution Group, Wade provides attest function and assurance services to private and closely held companies in the middle market, but he routinely looks beyond compliance for ways to help his clients bolster growth and enhance profits. This comprehensive and communicative approach to consultancy has earned Wade the trust and confidence of business and organizational leaders throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.
Becker serves clients across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, hospitality, real estate, construction, not-for-profit, service and retail, and he thrives on the variety of opportunities, goals and measures of success unique to each sector. He also has extensive expertise overseeing the audit process of employee benefit plans.
Becker’s leadership responsibilities also include roles as Managing Partner of RKL’s Capital Region office, where he oversees general operations and supports the firm’s growth in the Capital Region, and leader of RKL’s Manufacturing & Distribution Industry Group.
“It’s a great honor to step into the CREDC board chair role, said Becker. “Since RKL entered the Greater Harrisburg market nearly a decade ago, we’ve proudly supported innovative businesses and thriving enterprises, and grown right along with them. Just as our firm remains committed to the Capital Region, I am also committed to leading the CREDC board and driving positive outcomes through 2023 and beyond.”
The additional slate of 2023 Harrisburg Regional Chamber officers is as follows:
- 1st Vice Chair- Zack Khuri, Orrstown Bank
- 2nd Vice Chair- Kara Beem, Keystone Ingenuity, LLC
- Treasurer- Alisa Harris, UGI Utilities
- Secretary- Abigail Fortino, Conrad Siegel
- At-Large Member- Alison Bernhardt, Select Medical
- Immediate Past Chair- Greg Gunn, Gunn Mowery Insurance Group
The additional slate of 2023 CREDC officers is as follows:
- 1st Vice Chair- Katie Clarke, LeTort Trust
- 2nd Vice Chair- Shawn Leppo, McNees Wallace and Nurick, LLC
- Treasurer- Beth Peiffer, Ralph E. Jones, Inc.
- Secretary- Betsy Hamm, Duck Donuts
- At-Large Member- Maggie Sheely, PPL
- Immediate Past Chair- Casey Khuri, NAI/CIR
The Chamber & CREDC also added new business leaders to their boards.
New to the Chamber Board of Directors:
- Jacquelyn Anderson, Penn National Insurance
- Joe Arthur, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
- Andre Campbell, Northwestern Mutual
- Eric Darr, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
- Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, Central Penn College
- Bryan Jones, Fulton Bank
- Emelia Makor, Reves Etheres Events, LLC
- MaryAnne Reynolds, Gift CPAs
- Mike Wilson, Members 1st Federal Credit Union
New to the CREDC Board of Directors:
George Fernandez, Color & Culture- Wendy Jackson-Dowe, SkyPixGroup
- Alex Reber, Miller Dixon Drake PC
A complete list of board members may be found at www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org.
Click to access photos of new 2023 Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC Board Chairs and members.
ABOUT HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC
Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC serves as a catalyst for promoting growth and quality of life in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties through bold leadership, visionary members and powerful results. The organization provides a unique blend of business, community/economic development and advocacy services under one roof to boost the economic vitality and livability across our region. The Chamber & CREDC has been accredited with five stars from the United States Chamber of Commerce—a distinction achieved by less than 5 percent of chambers across the nation.
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