Organizations

I believe we all have a duty to make our communities stronger for everyone. Here are some of the organizations I support, here in Allentown, Pa., and across the Lehigh Valley.

Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. I love the D&L. I joined the board of directors because I wanted to give back to the D&L Trail where I frequently run and ride. I quickly realized the trail is only a part of the remarkable organization. We preserve a nationally significant industrial heritage. We teach thousands of schoolchildren every year. Our 165-mile corridor contributes more than $250 million to the regional economy.

St. Luke’s University Health Network. Our region is fortunate to have outstanding healthcare resources. St. Luke’s not only provides great medical care, it provides vision, dental and health services to thousands of Allentown’s schoolchildren each year — without fanfare. I’m honored to be a St. Luke’s Hospital – Allentown Board Member.

Muhlenberg College. Through my work on the Board of Associates, I’ve grown to appreciate the true asset Muhlenberg is to our neighborhood and entire region.

WDIY. Public radio is essential to our democracy and ability bring the community closer together. I share my passion for food with a monthly podcast as part of Lehigh Valley Arts Salon, which explores the exploding Lehigh Valley culinary arts scene.

Activities

Too often we answer the question of “what do you do?” with one’s profession. But don’t you learn more about a person by asking about their passions?

Running. I’ve been running regularly since 1999. I can’t say enough about how running has changed my life — from energy levels to overall fitness to an incredibly supportive social network.

Hiking. Exploring the outdoors is vital to reconnect our primal selves with our original habitat. Whether it’s here in the Lehigh Valley or one of our spectacular National Parks, nothing beats a day (or a week) in the mountains and woods. (Pictures from my hikes bring life to this website.)

Cooking. The comfort of sharing a home-cooked meal with family cannot be overstated. I like making people happy with food I make for them. And I enjoy learning about new cuisines and techniques.

Craft beer. There’s never been a better time to be a beer fan. Brewers local and nationwide are doing some amazing things with water, hops, malt, barley and other ingredients. I’ve picked up the homebrewing hobby to learn more about the craft.