Carbon-Schuylkill group has new executive director
Members of the Carbon-Schuylkill Industrial Development Corporation meeting on Thursday at the Parkview Inn, Summit Hill, are, seated from left, Russell King, treasurer; Richard E. Forgay Sr., past president and retiring executive director; and Robert Silver, past president. Standing, from left, are Chris Ondrus, director; David Kuchta, past president; attorney Joseph Velitsky, newly elected president; Richard E. Forgay II, newly elected executive director and past president; William Gardiner, past president; and Daniel Dopira, past president. RON GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
A Lansford man who has served as executive director of the Carbon-Schuylkill Industrial Development Corporation for nearly four decades has stepped down and handed the reins to his son.
Richard Forgay Sr. of Lansford announced his resignation as executive director during the group’s quarterly meeting Thursday at the Parkview Inn in Summit Hill.
The board of directors unanimously elected his son, Richard E. Forgay II, as the new executive director.
Forgay Sr. said he will continue to remain a board member of the CSIDC. He said the younger Forgay has been performing the executive director duties “in my support as we entered the electronic age and as my eyesight has also become a challenge.”
Forgay Sr. was executive director for 38 years.
His son has been a CSIDC board member since 1983.
In nominating his son for the new executive director position, Forgay Sr. said, “His innovative leadership escalated our organization to a key leadership position in economic and industrial advancements by facilitating strategic local, state and national partnerships. His leadership mantra of ‘playing well together’ worked to generate six-figure grant funding relationships necessary to drive the Heritage Tourism movement throughout northeast Pennsylvania during his six terms as CSIDC president.”
Forgay II is president and CEO of Business Leadership Mastery in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
He said of his new position in CSIDC that the organization’s priorities continue to adapt to current economic strategies.
Initially the CSIDC concentrated on attracting industry and was instrumental in helping to lure such employers as Ametek, Silberline Manufacturing, Majestic Lamp Company and Tonnoli to the area. The focus then shifted to increasing local tourism, assisting with the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Trail development and the establishment of the No. 9 Mine Museum.
Forgay II said entrepreneurship will be the new definitive role “to make our small towns attractive for commerce and economic enhancement.”
The CSIDC was formed in 1957.
Forgay said the Panther Valley area presently has five Fortune 500 companies.
In other business
• The newly elected slate of officers conducted the meeting. Attorney Joseph Velitsky is the new president, succeeding Robert Silver. Russell King is treasurer.
• Chris Ondrus said construction of a new St. Luke’s medical building in Lansford is expected to begin at the end of March. Completion is anticipated in October. The facility is being constructed on the site of the former Palace Restaurant.
He said of the planned building, “That’s got to be something positive not only for Lansford but for the Valley.”
• Ondrus also said that the Lansford AMVETS building is no longer being used but is in excellent condition. He said local leaders are hoping a new owner can be found for the building.
• William Gardiner said the Nesquehoning Historical Society has obtained the former Baptist Church and parsonage. He said the church will be the site of the group’s new museum in about six months. He said the parsonage would be ideal to continue to be used in that capacity if a member of the clergy could be located to use it.
• Bob Silver said Lansford will be host to the 2018 Veterans Day parade.
• The next meeting of the CSIDC will be held July 26 at Macaluso’s in Nesquehoning.
