During the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce Student Recognition Program, the Chamber recognized sophomores who have excelled in business courses at BCTC, business courses in the school district, or in FBLA leadership. Recognized were Samantha Becker, Brandywine Heights; Alyson Rentschler, Hamburg; Caitlin Bower, Fleetwood; Matthew Hinkle, Oley Valley; and Ethan Boyer, Kutztown.
The chamber also welcomed economic development and lender relations specialist Kimberly A. Stout as the keynote speaker for the April 21 Chamber breakfast meeting. Antanavage Farbiarz, PLLC, Hamburg, was the sponsor for the meeting held at East Penn Manufacturing, Lyons.
Stout joined the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Philadelphia District Office in October 2013. As an Economic Development & Lender Relations Specialist, she promotes the SBA lending programs and maintaining a network of collaborative partners to assist, promote and protect small businesses.
Prior to joining SBA, she was a Business Development Director for Community Action Development Corporation of Allentown, training and mentoring small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs on how to start and operate a small business focusing in the areas of business planning, marketing and financial assistance.
Stout gained her small business experience while owning and operating a restaurant in Shippensburg. She earned her bachelor’s in geography/regional development and a master’s in organizational development and leadership from Shippensburg University.
The meeting also included a nonprofit partner presentation by Robin Ball, Executive Director, Clare of Assisi House, which will host a spring fundraiser on May 20 at McGlinn Conference Center. The theme of the event is “Celebrating Women’s Wellness” and will be a mini expo of yoga, Tai Chi, skin care, nutrition, flower arrangement, Advocacy, and more.
