Board of Directors
Introducing new officers and members
Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania is pleased to announce the members serving on its Board of Directors, including a new roster of officers.
Chair: Michael Zalot, MBA, Ph.D., Graduate Programs Director, Assistant Professor, Cedar Crest College
Vice Chair: Soo Yeon Sun, PT, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Alvernia University
Interim Treasurer: John D. Kucher, Manager - Business Services, PPL Electric Utilities
Jane Amato, Vice President, Commercial Lending, Peoples Security Bank and Trust, Co.
Marvin Balliet, Managing Director, Latin America Productivity, Citibank
William Blumer (immediate past chair), Shareholder, Barley Snyder
Peter Cleff, Retired, PPL
Lynn Gerlach, Director, Marketing & Communications, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network
Jeffrey Heisey, Franchise Owner, Stanley Steemer
Ashley Stofflet, Personnel (HR) Generalist, East Penn Manufacturing Company
Michael Zalot has been Director of Graduate Programs and Assistant Professor of Business at Cedar Crest College since 2018. He will focus attention on developing stronger partnerships with academia, similar to how Cedar Crest has become a strong partner for Easterseals’ Camp Lily program. There is the potential for mutual benefit, including disciplines such as art therapy and occupational therapy, but also strategic management and communications.
Soo Yeon Sun is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Alvernia University in Reading. Her background in pediatric physical therapy led to a passion for advocating for children with disabilities and their families. She plans to contribute to the continuing success of Easterseals by raising regional awareness, strengthening community connections, and supporting the fundraising effort through her network.
John D. Kucher has spent the past 20 years building his leadership skills, first at Mack Trucks and now at PPL Electric Utilities as Manager - Business Services. Prior to earning degrees from Lehigh University and Moravian University, he was a member of the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. “When I was approached to join the board,” says John. “I did some research on the organization and was impressed with the programs and initiatives to help those with disabilities in the communities where I live and work. I look forward to leveraging both my personal and professional experiences serving other organizations to help Easterseals Eastern PA in my capacity as a board member.”
Jane Amato is Vice President, Commercial Lending at Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company. Amato began with Easterseals by volunteering at Camp Lily and the annual golf tournament, and serving on two board committees. She is dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities, having friends and clients who have children with disabilities and special needs. In addition to serving on Easterseals’ board, she also volunteers with the Queenship of Mary Roman Catholic Church Festival Committee and the American Cancer Society Golf Tournament Committee.
Marvin J. Balliet is a managing director for Citibank’s Latin America Region. He currently serves as a board member and former Chairman of the Board for Citi Corporate Services, Inc. He held previous roles at Citibank and Merrill Lynch. He is the recipient of the 2020 Duquesne University School of Business Distinguished Alumni Award and received the Business Finance Magazine’s National Vision Award in 2002. Balliet, a CPA and CMA, is passionate about developing new strategies for fundraising opportunities and lending his financial experience to the organization.
William Blumer, Shareholder at Barley Snyder, is the immediate past chair of the board, having served in that capacity to four years. He served as the vice chair for three years prior. Blumer practices Estate Planning and Elder Law at Barley Snyder in Reading. He serves on a number of boards for agencies across Berks County and was a trustee of the Berks Community Trust, a pooled supplemental needs trust for persons with disabilities, until its termination in 2019.
Peter Cleff has served on the Easterseals board since 2006 and is now finishing his final term of service. He is retired from PPL Electric Utilities where he was Manager, Energy Efficiency Programs and Evaluations. Cleff demonstrates an unwavering commitment to Easterseals through his leadership on the board, fundraising efforts, community connections, presence at events, and program visits.
Lynn Gerlach is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. She has extensive experience in public relations, marketing and employee communications, having held previous positions at Ehrlich Pest Control, Caloric Corporation, American Olean Tile Company, and Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey. Gerlach’s communication experience will help her support and share the important work at Easterseals. She adds, “I have had the opportunity to see the impact a disability can have on someone’s life and how connecting with the right resources can make all the difference.”
Jeffrey Heisey is the Vice President of Operations at Brylin Inc and the Owner of franchise Stanley Steemer in Gilbertsville. Raised in Berks County, Jeff graduated from Daniel Boone High School as an accomplished athlete prior to earning his degree in Business Administration from Slippery Rock University, where he held various leadership roles. Jeff is no stranger to the services and programs provided by Easterseals. “I started my time with Easterseals in 1978 as a three-year old client who was walking on his toes and had a right arm that wasn't easy for me to use,” says Jeff. “My childhood memories are littered with experiences that would not have been afforded to me without the assistance of Easterseals. It is only fitting that I try everything in my power to make sure that the children and families dealing with disabilities can continue to have the resources available to them in the future.”
Ashley Stofflet, Personnel Generalist at East Penn Manufacturing Company, is a recent graduate of United Way of Berks County’s Leadership Berks program. She brings valuable community building skills and training to the team. Her experience with hiring and recruiting enables her to grow meaningful relationships and connections for Easterseals, especially in the Berks community. “I have been fortunate to witness firsthand how Easterseals positively impacts people’s lives,” says Ashley. “I want to give back to an organization that has done so much for so many and to be involved in helping other individuals and families the way Easterseals has helped mine.”
If you are interested in joining our Board of Directors or serving as a leadership volunteer on a committee, read more about what it means to serve.
Updated October 24, 2024
