Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Kathy Henderson announces retirement after 10 years of service to the organization.

Kathy Henderson, Executive Director of the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC), a proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, has announced her retirement after ten years of service to the organization.

In her career at the CCEDC, Kathy has counselled numerous business start-ups and new entrepreneurs and has helped existing businesses to grow in the county. She has stayed true to her mission to create thoughtful opportunities for economic development while preserving the natural beauty of Carbon County.

Henderson began with the CCEDC in 2014 as the Director of Economic Development, after previously working as the Executive Director for the Carbon County Association of Realtors for many years. “I came prepared to the interview with a copy of the County’s Comprehensive Plan and showcased my vision for how Economic Development as related to the plan they had established,” she said. Her passion for the county and making sure it was headed in the right direction secured her position. As a life-long Carbon County resident and graduate of Lehighton High School, she saw the opportunity to create jobs, breathe new life into our business community and to help people be successful along the way.

Over the last decade, Henderson was instrumental in various large-scale projects that did just that. Working with the Weatherly Library, she was instrumental in facilitating the sale of a vacant property that was later transformed into a library space complete with family areas for gathering, meeting space, and more. “To be able to reutilize an old building for something productive meant a lot,” said Henderson. Similarly, in 2015, Henderson partnered with a local realtor to assist Sharps Compliance of Houston, Texas, in putting down roots in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, creating jobs and expanding their business in this region. Certified by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to underwrite Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loans, Kathy handled countless loans for both the CCEDC and Carbon County Industrial Development Authority that have given opportunities for growth and expansion to businesses throughout the region.

In addition, Henderson was fundamental in the facilitation of various initiatives throughout the county, including a Return on Environment Study. “Carbon County’s economy is very tourist-heavy,” said Henderson. “There is a

symbiotic relationship between our environment and our economy, and one cannot take precedence over the other. We have to be protective of both.”

Most recently, Henderson served the CCEDC as Executive Director, overseeing both the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development aspects of the organization. Over the years, she has been an active member of the Carbon County community, serving on numerous boards, including the Northeast PA Alliance (NEPA) NEPA Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Carbon Training Center, Lehigh Valley Health Network Ambassadors Board, Panther Valley Blueprints Community Steering Committee, Lansford Train Station Steering Committee, Summit Hill Museum project, Penn State Extension Carbon County Committee, Lehighton Main Street Steering Committee, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber’s Public Policy Committee, the Lehigh Canal and Recreation Commission (LCRC), the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) Advocacy Committee, and Convention and Professional Standards Committee. Also, she was a past volunteer EMT for two local fire companies (East Penn Township and Andreas Fire Company) and Mahoning Valley Ambulance, Cubmaster and Committee Chairs for local Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops and on the board for Jack and Jill Preschool. She serves currently as Tax Collector for East Penn Township, and along with her husband Jim owns and operates Pocono Glamping.

Kathy looks forward to spending more time with her husband, Jim, and their son, daughter-in-law and grandson, tending to her gardens and enjoying more camping trips.

“Kathy has been a tremendous asset to the CCEDC,” said Pat Reilly, President of the CCEDC Board and President and CEO of Mauch Chunk Trust Company. “We appreciate everything she has accomplished and wish her a happy retirement.”

Kathy’s retirement will bring new faces to the CCEDC; Kylie Adams-Weiss has been appointed as Senior Vice President of the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation effective immediately, coming to the role after five years working with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, of which the CCEDC is a proud partner. She is a Palmerton resident.

 

About the Chamber: The Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation is a proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, and our purpose is to advance balanced economic growth and quality-of-life solutions in Carbon County through sustained advocacy, programs and services for our members, key stakeholders and the communities we serve.. We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs and exclusive, money saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises. As a partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, we are the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide.