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.,Cedar Crest College
Vice Chair: Soo Yeon Sun, PT, Ph.D., Alvernia University
Treasurer: Eden Bucher, Esq., Barley Snyder
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
Ashley Stofflet, 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.
As treasurer, Eden Bucher, Attorney at Barley Snyder, brings her financial background and problem-solving skills to Easterseals in this role. Well-versed in helping organizations with complex banking and loan paperwork, Eden is well-equipped to help ensure Easterseals has the funding it needs to continue growing and offering innovative programs to its constituents. “I choose to serve on the board because the amazing assistance and programs Easterseals offers are invaluable to the children and their families,” says Eden. “The organization deserves the support of everyone in the community.”
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.”
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.
Published October 26, 2023
