Are you interested in discovering the amazing individuals who call Greater Reading their home? You’ll be amazed by the diverse and fascinating people who have made this community great. Perhaps you’re eager to uncover the compelling tales of companies that have recently established themselves here, or the longstanding businesses that have thrived for generations. Click on the stories below to delve into the inspiring narratives of our vibrant community. Discover why Greater Reading is the perfect place for you.
LIVE
Greater Reading is full of places for kids and ones that will bring out the kid in you. When you live in Greater Reading, your kids will tell you they are bored a whole lot less. Work becomes something you…
Katie Johnsen Lives in Wernersville Have you always lived here? Did you grow up here, move away, and come back? Did you grow up somewhere else and move here? I moved around a lot as a child – mostly in…
Growing up, going to college was always a dream for Erick Astacio. While it seemed like the dream was out of reach at times, he found a way to succeed. His dream came through when he crossed the stage to…
When you meet Rogelio Flores, it’s hard to believe that he once considered dropping out of high school. The Reading High School graduate recently crossed the stage to earn his baccalaureate degree in electro-mechanical engineering technology, with a minor in…
College you attended: RACC and Penn State BerksCompany: Lockheed MartinWhere do you live? Lower HeidelbergWhere are you from originally?Originally, I am from Las Vegas. I came here after my husband had a job opportunity and then I went back to…
Company: GoggleWorks Center for the ArtsWhere do you live? WyomissingWhat are your favorite local activities to do with your family?When the kids weren’t walking yet, we loved to walk at the Reading Public Museum and trails in Wyomissing. We live…
College you attended: Kutztown UniversityCompany:Alicia: Berks County Intermediate UnitBrandon: Wilson School DistrictWhere do you live? Alsace TownshipWhere are you from originally?Alicia: I am originally from Royersford, Pa., which is in Montgomery County.Brandon: I am originally from Jim Thorpe, Pa., which…
Company: Dolan Construction Inc.Where do you live? Exeter TownshipWhy did you return to Greater Reading after living outside the area?I returned to Reading to be involved in my family's construction business.How has Greater Reading changed for the better since you…
College you attended: Albright CollegeCompany: Reading Area Community College, Miller Center for the ArtsWhere do you live? ReadingWhere are you from originally?Carroll County, MarylandWhat is it about Greater Reading that made you want to stay here after graduation?I wanted to…
Company: Reading Bakery Systems (RBS)Where do you live? MyerstownWhy do you think Greater Reading is a great place to work in manufacturing?The Reading area has a surprising number of globally recognized companies. Each of these companies is providing jobs where…
A Tale of Two Homes In Greater Reading, one can easily travel between rolling countryside, walkable urban areas and historic small towns. Even better, residents can choose to make one of these experiences their home. The mountains called them By Audrey Krupiak, Assistant Director…
WORK
Linda Console-Bram, MS, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine Lives in Brecknock Township Console-Bram’s role as an educator at DUCOM & Tower Health is to collaboratively work with her colleagues to…
Cassandra Noray, R.T., Radiologic Technologist, Reading Hospital/Tower Health Lives in Reading. As a Radiologic Technologist, Cassandra Noray rotates between the emergency department and operating room — doing portable imaging throughout the hospital. She typically works four, 10-hour shifts. The most…
Vera Hempel, Co-founder and CEO at KissUX and the Co-founder of Cactus Club Creative Kuba Kerner, Co-founder and Head of Product at KissUX and the Co-founder of Cactus Club Creative As co-founders of KissUX, an application prototyping tool and Cactus…
Ashley Chambers, Senior Vice President of Community Impact, United Way of Berks County Lives in Reading. Ashley Chambers leads the Community Impact team, which is responsible for determining community needs, making investments through grants to address those needs, and managing…
Eric Garcia, Elementary Gifted/ Innovation Teacher for Reading School District: 10th & Green Elementary School/ Lauer’s Park Elementary School Lives in Bern Township Garcia is a gifted/ innovation Teacher for the Reading School District (RSD). He teaches at 10th &…
Ebony McNeil, Universal Branch Manager, Members 1st Credit UnionLives in: Muhlenberg Township For more than two years, Ebony McNeil has been the Universal Branch Manager at Members 1st Credit Union in Sinking Spring. McNeil is also the Founder & Executive…
Aftermarket Production Supervisor, SeakeeperLives in: Saint LawrenceIn November 2007, Chad Davis was hired as a machine operator for JOMA Machine Company of Mohnton, which Seakeeper had contracted to machine the components that go into its products. The two companies merged…
Owner & Founder, FRESH Breakfast | Lunch.Lives in: Sinking SpringNicholas Kaltsas began working in his family’s restaurants from a young age, honing his skills and learning the craft. He continues to use his father’s recipes, infusing them with a modern,…
Tasty Innovation A Unique history of snacking By Justin Spannuth, Unique Snacks and Garrett Allen, Harris, Baio & McCulloughThe Spannuth family has been baking pretzels since the late 1800s and Unique Pretzels was officially trademarked in 1921. Family businesses are…
The Grass is Greener Here New Castle Lawn & Landscape grows (literally) in Greater Reading By Tricia Williams, VP of Sales & Marketing, New Castle Lawn & LandscapeNew Castle Lawn & Landscape began as a small side hustle in 1988…
Craving Goodness Homemade Cravings drive, passion fuel growth By: Luisa M. Suarez, Owner, Homemade CravingsHomemade Cravings is a family bakery that started in 2009 in Puerto Rico. After many years of working from our home, we grew and received amazing…
That's a Wrap A manufacturer with its own orbital stretch wrap machine By Andy Brizek, VP of Sales and Marketing, TAB Industries, LLCTAB Industries, LLC was founded in 2005. We are an OEM manufacturer for our own line of orbital…
PLAY
Options abound for physical and social health in Greater Reading Looking for some excitement and adventure in the Greater Reading area? Well, look no further because we've got a ton of activities for outdoor enthusiasts that will get your heart…
Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you have to do is call Bear Creek Mountain Resort Discover the riveting escape at Bear Creek Mountain Resort, where every season brings its unique adventures and experiences. From biking down tranquil mountain paths…
Greater Reading scores-big in minor league sports By Keith Stamm, Director of Workforce Development, GRCA Sports and the Greater Reading area have a long history together. In fact, our love of sports and our great location have spurred a vibrant…
Greater Reading's main streets full of vibrant art, history and food By Aaron Gantz, Senior Director of Economic Development, GRCA Discover the vibrant and diverse main streets of Greater Reading, each offering a unique blend of history, arts and local…
Occupation: President & CEO, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Why Sihelnik loves playing in Greater Reading: Sihelnik loves to play in Greater Reading because she believes the area provides whatever your heart desires within a 15-minute car ride. A transplant of…
Greater Reading offers many unique places to perform yoga – warehouses, farms, rooftops, wineries, breweries, on top of Hawk Mountain or next to Blue Marsh Lake. BLDG. 7 Yoga, located in the heart of Wyomissing, offers multi-dimensional yoga classes for…
Rivertribe Outdoors opened in mid-2018 after its founding owner and local native, Jed Wright, purchased the former Schuylkill River Outdoors outfitter, based out of the Monocacy-Douglassville area. Wright began operations quickly after his acquisition, but had some false starts along…
Every year since 1991, an impressive array of jazz musicians, a dedicated staff of presenters from the nonprofit Berks Arts, thousands of fans and an army of volunteers gather to create Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. After the success of its…
Setter Ridge Vineyards was developed out of love for English Setters and winemaking. This family owned and operated winery specializes in dry European styled wines. Setter Ridge wine gets its distinctive palette from the farmlands and hillsides owned by the…
With repeating John Lennon faces on the ceiling and even more priceless memorabilia lining the walls, Long Trout Winery in Auburn, Penn. brings more than psychedelic fun ─ the wine selection is as groovy as the atmosphere. While most wineries…
Greater Reading has a thriving wine scene. Whether you are looking for full bodied or light bodied red, white, rose, sparkling or dessert wine Greater Reading has it all. Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery is a small boutique winery located in…
LEARN
As a U.S. marine, Kevin Michaels has dedicated his life to serving his country. But his service came at a cost: He developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during his time in Afghanistan. Now, it is his mission to use his…
Many people know what artificial intelligence is but not how it works. Christian Clarke has made it his mission to learn all about it, enrolling in Penn State after he already had one bachelor’s degree under his belt and had…
Isabella Romig, a Penn State Berks psychology major with a minor in Spanish and a certificate in Spanish for healthcare, was selected as this year’s student marshal at the college’s commencement ceremony. “Penn State Berks is a great school and I…
Greater Reading boast five colleges and a medical school The Greater Reading area offers an impressive array of higher education options that cater to individuals at all stages of their career journey. Albright College is known for its strong liberal…
Travis Mauger, a first-generation college graduate from Exeter Township, exemplifies a commitment to service and mental health advocacy. After joining the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and experiencing deployment during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Mauger…
Growing up, going to college was always a dream for Erick Astacio. While it seemed like the dream was out of reach at times, he found a way to succeed. His dream came through when he crossed the stage to…
When you meet Rogelio Flores, it’s hard to believe that he once considered dropping out of high school. The Reading High School graduate recently crossed the stage to earn his baccalaureate degree in electro-mechanical engineering technology, with a minor in…
Penn State Berks is preparing the students of today for the in-demand careers for tomorrow. With 20 baccalaureate degree programs, and the first two years of more than 275 degree programs that can be completed at other campuses, students have…
PA Dream Team Program The Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) is working collaboratively with schools, industry, and area stakeholders to create innovative programs that feature technical careers, STEM and CTE education to students, parents, and educators. With the assistance of the…
Providing access to career awareness and exploration opportunities for the more than 70,000 students in Berks County continues to be a top priority for the Career Ready Berks Alliance. The Alliance is a coalition of the 18 Berks County school…
Alvernia’s brand new Reading CollegeTowne reconstruction at 401 North Penn Street in downtown Reading nears completion and awaits the arrival of students in August 2021. This exciting extension of Alvernia’s campus is designed as a strategic champion of economic redevelopment,…
Community Stories
Across Pennsylvania, a wide variety of free museums and historic sites await, offering a diverse array of experiences from science and history to art. Whether you are curious about historical narratives or looking to appreciate artistic masterpieces, countless cultural opportunities…
Boyertown's unique public art installation, the Bear Fever Project, has been bringing the community together for over 20 years. Inspired by similar projects in Chicago and Washington, D.C., retired teacher Jane Stahl and graphic designer Paul Stahl launched the initiative,…
American Crane and Equipment in Amity Township partnered with a local artist to create a vibrant mural celebrating Berks County's rich manufacturing history. The artwork serves as a visual reminder of the industries that shaped Greater Reading and the contributions…
A new CRIZ (City Revitalization and Improvement Zone) project has been proposed to transform an old bus station site in downtown Reading. At the corner of Penn and Third Streets, the major project would bring nearly 60 new apartments alongside…
Greater Reading is a smart place to start. Whether you're graduating, job hunting or cheering on someone who is, there is no better place to launch a career and a life than Greater Reading, Pa. With top-growing industries like healthcare,…
Alvernia University is set to expand access to computer science and STEM education thanks to a $450,000 grant through the PAsmart Advancing Grants for Career and Technical Education programs. This funding will accelerate the university's Total Experience Learning® (TExpL) program,…
For over four decades, Communities In Schools (CIS) of Eastern Pennsylvania has been a vital force, empowering over 41,000 students across more than 50 schools by tackling the obstacles that stand in the way of their education. The organization collaborates…
Across Reading, community-led initiatives are receiving a significant boost thanks to $25,000 in Faro grants. These grants are designed to support a diverse range of projects that aim to create positive change through local community development. Congratulations to this year's…
Berks County's oldest family-owned bar, Jack's Pub, is celebrating its remarkable 100th anniversary with a community block party on Saturday, May 17th, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Founded in 1925 and run by the Wennell family for four generations,…
Ma-Patisserie Cafe & Bakery, a small family-owned business, brings a touch of France to Berks County by offering a wide array of authentic French pastries, breads, and light fare. The bakery prides itself on using high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques…
Meet three individuals in Berks County who passionately support local nonprofits. From cat adoption and food pantries to community improvement initiatives and relief for those suffering tremors, these nonprofit leaders are championing for various causes. Read more about their stories…
Berks LaunchBox is empowering aspiring entrepreneurs in Berks County through the IMAGINE Your Business grant. Funded by the IMAGINE Berks program, the initiative provides $2,000 microgrants to help launch or grow local businesses. Beyond financial assistance, Berks LaunchBox offers free,…
