10 Pennsylvania Community Leaders Everyone Should Know About

Community leaders play a vital role in shaping and enriching the great state of Pennsylvania. Their dedication and selflessness are paramount as they tirelessly work to give back and drive positive change on a local level and beyond.

Here in Pennsylvania, we're lucky to have some remarkable folks whose contributions have left an indelible impact on the lives of those around them. Here are 10 community leaders making a difference in Pennsylvania.

1. Allentown: Jimmy Olang

Jimmy Olang, the owner of The Brothers That Just Do Gutters Lehigh Valley, was the recipient of the U.S. Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania Small Business Person of the Year award for his exceptional contributions and success as a small business owner.

Originally from Kenya, Olang met the company's owner Ken Parsons during a missionary trip at age 12 and was offered a job in the U.S. After a decade-long wait for a visa, Olang started as a gutter installer and worked his way up, eventually becoming the first franchisee of the company in 2015. Now, his business serves the Lehigh Valley with 24 employees. (The Morning Call)

2. Germantown: Peter Merzbacher

Peter Merzbacher, the founder and owner of Merzbacher's of Germantown, is a rising star in Philadelphia, having recently been named on the 2023 Philadelphia Forty Under 40 list. Merzbacher's bakery, a neighborhood anchor, uses locally sourced ingredients for its signature square English muffins and avoids “accidental gentrification” through a commitment to sustainability.

With a background in globalization and entrepreneurship, Merzbacher discovered his talent for breadmaking and began operating as a one-man delivery enterprise. Now, the 34-year-old entrepreneur plans to expand into coffee, pastries and pizza, further enriching the community hub. Merzbacher's success reflects his dedication to entrepreneurship and creating value for his community through curiosity and continuous learning. (City & State Pennsylvania)

3. Gratz: Second Lt. Lea Lenker

Second Lt. Lea Lenker, a Pennsylvania National Guard Soldier commissioned through Penn State's ROTC program, received the Capt. Brian Faunce Memorial Scholarship Award for embodying leadership and courage. She is the first person to be honored with this award as both a National Guard-bound senior and Pennsylvania Army National Guard Simultaneous Membership Program cadet.

Lenker graduated with a bachelor's degree in bio-behavioral health and plans to join the Medical Service Corps, attending the Basic Officer Leadership Course and medical school in 2024. Choosing the Pennsylvania National Guard over active duty, she aims to serve underserved communities through community medicine. (dvids)

4. Harrisburg: Michael Scott

Deputy Michael Scott, a Sullivan County Deputy Game Warden, was presented with a Life-Saving Award for rescuing a man trapped under an overturned tractor in Elkland Township, Pennsylvania. Responding quickly to the radio call, Deputy Scott, along with the help of neighbors and the Shunk Volunteer Fire Department, successfully saved the severely injured victim, who had broken ribs and a punctured lung.

With over nine years of service as a Deputy Game Warden and his dedication to volunteering with the Elkland Township Ambulance and Fire Department, Deputy Scott proves to be an invaluable asset to the community. The award recognized his bravery and selflessness in the rescue effort. (PA homepage)

5. Harrison: Rick Monti

Rick Monti, a veteran journalist and Trib Total Media trustee, was recognized with the prestigious 2023 Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. With over four decades in the industry, Monti currently serves as a consultant for Trib Total Media. He is deeply involved in supporting local journalism through scholarships and is dedicated to upholding the values of the profession.

Monti's passion for the industry, extensive knowledge and commitment to the community have made him a respected figure in Western Pennsylvania's media landscape. His influence has touched the lives of countless journalists, earning him admiration and respect as a role model for all in the field. (TRIB Live)

6. Jamison: Lorelai Smiley

Lorelai Smiley, a dental occupations student at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, was one of three recipients in the entire commonwealth to receive the 2023 Pennsylvania Cooperative Education Outstanding Student Award for the Eastern CTE Region. She excelled academically, obtaining multiple certifications and a 3.5+ GPA.

Smiley's dedication as a co-op student earned her recognition as an invaluable asset to the dental team. Accepted into several colleges, she plans to pursue pre-dental studies and biology at Kutztown University while continuing to work and train with dentist Dr. Mercando. Her mentoring of younger students and commitment to excellence make her an exceptional role model in the dental field. (Bucks County Herald)

7. Lancaster: Ron Martin

Ron Martin, a veteran television anchor from central Pennsylvania, was selected as the recipient of the 2023 National Association of Television Arts and Sciences Mid-Atlantic Board of Governors Award for his remarkable contributions to the industry.

Martin's illustrious 37-year career at WGAL 8 has left an indelible mark. With six Emmy Awards to his name, he has interviewed prominent figures like former presidents Richard Nixon and Barack Obama and covered significant events ranging from the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the COVID-19 pandemic. His dedication and integrity as a consummate professional have earned him this prestigious recognition, cementing his place among the giants of the television industry. (Penn Live)

8. O’Hara: Sgt. Ben Wolfson

Ben Wolfson, an O'Hara police sergeant who has been involved in law enforcement for over 25 years, is a two-time Pennsylvania DUI Association Top Gun Award winner for his expertise as a drug recognition expert (DRE). Nominated by drug evaluation and classification program coordinator Dave Andrascik, Wolfson conducted 51 drug influence evaluations in 2021, ranking among the world's top DREs.

Wolfson’s commitment to reducing impaired driving incidents led him to pursue DRE certification and become an instructor. Now, he plays a crucial role in addressing the increasing issue of drug-related DUIs in the area as one of approximately 220 DREs in the state. (TRIB Live)

9. Philadelphia: Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó

Drew Weissman, MD, Ph.D., and Katalin Karikó, Ph.D., scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, received the 2021 Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for their groundbreaking work in mRNA-based therapeutic technology. As recipients of the nation’s top biomedical research prize, the pair’s 2005 research revealed mRNA's potential as a therapeutic agent, revolutionizing vaccine development.

The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines utilize their licensed technology, with over 370 million doses administered in the U.S. alone. Their platform has opened doors to combat infectious and genetic diseases like malaria, sickle-cell anemia and cancer. Recognized with multiple awards, they continue to collaborate on innovative research, pushing the boundaries of mRNA vaccines and therapies. (Penn Medicine News)

10. State College: C.R. Rao

Indian-American mathematician Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao, commonly known as C.R. Rao, won the 2023 International Prize in Statistics for revolutionizing the field with groundbreaking work in sample survey theory, biometry and more. Born in 1920, his academic career spanned Andhra University, Calcutta University and Cambridge University. Rao's methods have greatly impacted genetics, ecology and social sciences.

As a current professor emeritus at Pennsylvania State University, Rao also served as the Director of the Indian Statistical Institute and a University Professor at various U.S. universities. Among his numerous accolades are the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and the National Medal of Science, solidifying his undeniable legacy in modern statistics. (The Times of India)

Thank you to Pennsylvania’s incredible community leaders for all you do!

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