The Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce will host its first Chamber Dinner at Kutztown University on May 17. East Penn Manufacturing is the Title Sponsor, and the signature event will feature Andrea Funk, CEO of Cambridge-Lee Industries, as keynote speaker on the topic “What Makes a Company Successful?”
A 2018 Member of the Year Award will be presented that evening in honor of Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz, former East Penn Manufacturing CEO. The award will recognize one deserving member of the Northeast Berks Chamber.
“The Award will commemorate Sally’s remarkable career and philanthropy. Inviting Andrea Funk, an inspirational woman CEO, to address chamber dinner guests is yet another nod to Sally’s legacy,” said Mary Fran Bachman, chair of the chamber dinner planning committee and an agent at Spotts Insurance Group, Flying Hills.
The chamber seeks nominations for the award. Eligibility is based upon a member nominee’s accomplishments in business as well as service to the community. For criteria and online nomination form, visit the Event Tab at www.northeastberkschamber.com. Electronic and print submissions will be accepted at the Chamber Office, 110 W. Main Street, PO Box 209, Kutztown, no later than April 10.
Berks Schuylkill SCORE will partner with the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce, as it has annually for the September Shining Star Awards, to coordinate the judging process.
“Our team of mentors with Berks Schuylkill SCORE have found it very rewarding and an honor, to say the least, to have the opportunity to judge the Shining Star Awards for Northeast Berks Chamber,” said SCORE President Alyse Mitten, owner of Interlace Communications, Inc. “The caliber of the individuals who are nominated exemplifies the dedication they have to their community. This year, for the Chamber Dinner, we will evaluate nominees for the 2018 Member of the Year Award.”
SCORE will rank the top three candidates to determine the ultimate award winner. The Award Ceremony will highlight the top three nominees.
Andrea J. Funk has been the CEO of Cambridge-Lee Industries since 2013. She joined the company in 2010 as CFO, and previously, she worked in various global finance, business development, and audit capacities at Arrow International, Carpenter Technology, and Ernst & Young. Funk also sits on the Board of Directors and Audit Committee for Crown Holdings (NYSE: CCK) and Board of Directors, Audit Committee – in which she is the Chairperson, and Finance Committee of Touchpoint, a diversified global growth company with 3,000 employees.
Funk holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and a BS in Accounting from Villanova University, and is a CPA. She has received numerous awards, including the Girls Scouts Lead the Way Award, Athena Award, LVB Women of Influence, MI National STEP Honoree, BFTP Manufacturing Achievement, and PDCED’s C. Alan Walker Award for Public-Private Partnerships.
She actively supports her community, holding Executive/Board/Advisory seats with Caron Treatment Centers, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Greater Reading Economic Partnership, Berks United Way, Berks Business Education Coalition, and the Wilson Education Foundation. She is the Expert in Residence and sits on the President’s Advisory Council for Alvernia University, and is a frequent speaker and mentor for other community organizations, often promoting STEM opportunities. Andrea lives in Reading with her three children: Bailey, Maddie, and Julian.
East Penn Manufacturing, Lyons, is the event’s Title Sponsor. A chamber member for 19 years, East Penn Manufacturing has exemplified a high level of engagement and contribution to the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce.
East Penn Manufacturing Co. is a leading manufacturer of high quality lead-acid batteries and accessories for the automotive, commercial, marine, motive power, UPS, and telecommunication markets. The company’s quality and environmental systems for its entire 520-acre complex have been certified to ISO 9001:2008, ISO/TS 16949:2009, and ISO 14001:2015 requirements. For more information, visit www.dekabatteries.com.
Early Bird discounted reservations are on sale now through March 31. Sponsorship opportunities at three levels are also open. The three-hour event is open to the public and runs from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on the second floor of the McFarland Student Union. Ticket price includes a first-hour cocktail reception and sit-down dinner. Gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options are available by request with reservation.
For more information, contact Lori B. Donofrio-Galley, Executive Director, at 610-683-8860 or at email ldg@northeastberkschamber.com.
