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Meet the Team

Our organization is comprised of dedicated and passionate staff and volunteer board members from our area school districts, industry, and nonprofit leaders.

Foundation Staff

Tonya Smith
Director

Born and raised in Benton, PA, and a graduate of Benton High School, Tonya joined the Chamber staff in 2024 to give back to the local community through her role as Foundation Director.  A seasoned entrepreneur, manager, and networker with thirty years of experience in small business leadership, Tonya also worked for 18 years in program development, management, and training with the US Department of Agriculture, assisting landowners and farmers.  With her unique background in government and small business and her direct experience with the area’s workforce challenges, Tonya is uniquely equipped to work with area educators and employers to advance the Foundation’s initiatives in Columbia and Montour Counties.  A firm believer in the power of faith, family, and community, Tonya and her husband Kirby most enjoy spending quality time with their children and grandchildren.  For Foundation related inquiries, Tonya may be reached at foundation@columbiamontourchamber.com, or (570) 784-2522 ext. 407.

Foundation Board of Directors

Bruce Schlichter
Chair
Kawneer

 

Dean Girton
Treasurer
Girton Manufacturing

 

James Geffken
Benton School District

 

Wendy Kupsky
Berwick School District

 

Michelle Prybyla
Bloomsburg School District

 

Curtis Funkhouser
Columbia Montour Vo-Tech

 

Molly Nied
Danville School District

 

Joe Rasmus
Millville School District

Jeff Groshek
Vice-Chair
Central Columbia School District

 

Chris Stamatedes
Secretary
PPL Electric Utilities

 

Jim Becker
Southern Columbia School District

 

Chris Berleth
Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce

 

Alyssa Myers-Sanonu
Central Susquehanna Community Foundation

 

Hope Lineman
Commonwealth University

 

Sean Stabler
SEKISUI Kydex

 

Bethany Cole
Geisinger

School District Partners

School districts across Columbia and Montour counties partner with the Foundation on a variety of student programs.  Connect with these districts here:

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