June 14, 2007
BETHLEHEM, PA – Via of the Lehigh Valley announced today several new appointments to its board of directors. The organization added the following community leaders: Mark Bacak, Barbara Davies, Eugene Lennon, Paul Pierpoint and Kerry Wrobel.
Bacak, manager of the Bethlehem office of the Social Security Administration, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lehigh University with a degree in government. Bacak was an adjunct professor of political science at Northampton Community College and received community recognition for his work with people with disabilities from the ARC of Lehigh and Northampton counties and from the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living.
“I’m excited to be a part of Via because I have worked closely with people with disabilities in the Lehigh Valley for over 30 years,” said Bacak, a Bethlehem resident. “It is important for people with disabilities to have legitimate opportunities to work in and contribute to our community like every other Lehigh Valley resident. Via is dedicated to making those opportunities available and it is an honor to assist such a worthwhile organization.”
 Davies, founder of Lehigh Valley Analytics, served as president of the environmental analytical laboratory until the company was sold to United Water Resources’ Laboratory in 1988 and continued as general manager until 1994. Now a Hellertown resident, she served as board member and treasurer for the YWCA in Bethlehem and board member, treasurer and president of The Young People’s Philharmonic Orchestra board. Davies served in many volunteer capacities in support of Moravian Academy, including her current service on their Board of Trustees.
“Via enriches the quality of life in our community and their continued success is a responsibility that I feel commitment to be a part of,” said Davies. “I can help further a mission dedicated to enriching human dignity and respect, and I have a wonderful vehicle to put my energy and enthusiasm to work while giving back to the community I love living in.”
 Lennon has over 30 years experience as an educator, counselor, and school administrator. He served as teacher, counselor and administrator in Phillipsburg Middle School, principal of Lopatcong Township Elementary School, and superintendent of the Kingwood Township and Lebanon Township School Districts in New Jersey. Lennon, an Easton resident, recently retired after serving as principal of Holy Family School in Nazareth. He serves on the board of directors of Middle States Commission, a non-profit association which evaluates public and private schools throughout the eastern United States.
“Helping those less able to become active and contributing members of our communities adds to the richness of the lives of individuals, their families and all who in contact with them,” said Lennon. “I want to be an active, contributing member of Via’s board and volunteer anytime needed to serve Via consumers thus making the Lehigh Valley a better place to live for all.”
 Pierpoint, dean of Community Education at Northampton Community College (NCC), is leading the development of the new Fowler Family Southside Center in a former Bethlehem Steel office building. NCC Community Education includes 17 separate businesses ranging from Horizons for Youth children’s program to the National Center for Microelectronics and Electrotechnologies Applications Center serving the manufacturing community. Pierpoint serves on several boards including the Leadership Lehigh Valley and Weller Health Education Center.
"My work at Northampton Community College is driven by a belief that everyone deserves a chance to learn and develop into self-sufficient, contributing members of our community,” said Pierpoint of Bethlehem. “Volunteer boards make invaluable contributions to our community and I am happy to contribute to this important organization."
Wrobel, a Bethlehem resident, is president of Lehigh Valley Industrial Park Inc., a private non-profit land developer, managing the redevelopment of 1,000 acres of former Bethlehem Steel property considered the largest privately-owned brown field site in the United State. Wrobel held management positions with Binney & Smith Inc., the Easton based manufacturer of Crayola® products. He developed The Crayola Factory at Two Rivers Landing, ranked as one of the top ten children’s museums in North America, taking the project from conceptual stage through post-construction.
New chair and vice chair persons of Via’s three companies were also announced: Via of the Lehigh Valley, Inc.: Karen Whitehill (chair) and Larry Center (vice chair); Via Foundation, Inc.: Robert Oster (chair) and Chuck Stehly (vice chair); Via Events, Inc.: Steve Bailey (chair) and Laura Herzog Kaplus (vice chair).
 “I was attracted to Via because I share a similar vision - that everyone has been given gifts and deserves an opportunity to contribute,” said Whitehill, a Bath resident and senior vice president at KNBT. “People with disabilities should be able to make choices about where they live, experience enjoyable and meaningful work, and have a satisfying retirement. I was honored to join the Via board in 2003 and look forward to serving as board chair.”
Via of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. provides services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families in the greater Lehigh Valley, including Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks and Delaware counties. Via Events, Inc. operates two thrift stores and several special events which benefit the services of Via. Via Foundation, Inc.’s activities include quarterly appeals, obtaining grants and bequests, and income from investments which are granted to Via in support of programs and services for people with disabilities. The funding Via of Lehigh Valley receives from Via Events and Foundation is critical as government funding through Medicaid and other sources covers only 70% of the cost to provide services to Via consumers.
 “Via’s programs benefit not only people with developmental disabilities but also the ‘typically’ abled,” said Herzog Kaplus, a Bethlehem resident and associate director of Foundation Offices. “Via is a trainer and catalyst for schools, families and workplaces to give everyone opportunities to pursue a fulfilling life. I want to help raise public awareness about what we do and what our needs are.”
“Via is the most innovative and best managed organization supporting people with disabilities in the Lehigh Valley,” said Bailey, Bethlehem Township resident and president of Operations Resources, Inc. “There’s a tremendous amount of talent at the management and board levels and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Via of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit human service agency that provides services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Via’s staff help more than 1,000 individuals and families from birth through retirement focusing in four areas: Children’s Services, Community & Volunteer Services, Employment Services and Residential Services.
Via works with children up to age three in their homes and daycares to address disabilities and delays. Via trains daycare center staff so children with disabilities can go to school and learn with their peers. Via finds jobs in the community for adults and provides coaching and training for successful employment. And Via helps people volunteer in the community, participate in leisure activities, and find or purchase affordable, accessible housing. Via understands that personal satisfaction and dignity are achieved through individual success and independence and is committed to helping people live full and productive lives.
Lisa Walkiewicz
Communications Director
484-893-5390
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