Melissa Ressler,executive director, a Lancaster City resident, most recently served as a Career Counselor Manager with the Occupational Development Center where she provided job training services and designed and implemented programming to expand employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. She holds a degree in Gerontology from Messiah College, and has previous experience as a Care Manager for the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.
Judy Zimmerman Herr, president, spent her career in various administrative roles with the Mennonite Central Committee, a faith-based relief and development agency, both in the Akron headquarters office and in several African countries. Most recently, she spent 5 years based in Nairobi as Director of MCC’s programs in East Africa, returning to Lancaster in 2014. She has also worked for Tabor Community Services as a supportive services staff person. Judy’s hobbies include reading and gardening, and she enjoys walking and cycling around Lancaster. She resides in Lancaster city on West Walnut Street.
John Mullineaux, treasurer & his wife Joey moved to their home on the first block of N Queen St in the summer of 2016. Prior to that they lived in Penn Twp. for 40 years. Joyfully retired, John spent 37 years working for a British company, Fenner PLC. For much of that time, he was as the Chief Financial Officer of one of Fenner’s divisions. John is also on the Board of LIFECYCLES Inc., a non-profit engaged in youth ministry. He was recently appointed to the Board of the Lancaster Municipal Authority. An avid cyclist, he can often be found riding the roads of our beautiful county. He also enjoys cooking for family and friends.
Henry F Biedrzycki, secretary, a native of Pittsburgh, spent over 30 years of his work life in Boston with several non-profit agencies that provided services to homeless populations in the city. His work encompassed many senior management and administrative activities. Having lived in Lancaster in the 1970s, he moved back to Lancaster in 2019 and lives on North Mulberry Street with his wife, Valerie Evans. He is involved with Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster. His other interests revolve around walking & hiking, music, films, sports and politics.
Barbara O. Breneman is a lifelong resident of Lancaster County, and a city resident for 7 years. Barb retired, after 42 years, from Susquehanna Bancshares Inc. in 2015. While with Susquehanna, she held various Management roles in Loan Operations and Retail Banking. Since her retirement, Barb has worked part-time for her church, Zion Lutheran in East Petersburg, most recently as Treasurer.
Barb has served the Lancaster community in many ways including: Board of Directors of Luther Care in Lititz (2003-2012); Hospice and Community Care Board of Directors (2013 to 2018) and continues to volunteer for HCC; and Tabor Community Services as an Instructor for their Financial Workshops ( 2011 to 2019). Barb is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Lancaster.
John Kanagy grew up on a farm in Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin County. After college at Eastern Mennonite Univ. in VA, he moved to Lancaster County and lived in an intentional community with another family on a farmette near Akron. Work included Provident Bookstore (his first introduction to downtown Lancaster) and later warehouse manager at Ten Thousand Villages in Akron.In midlife, he pursued graduate school at Misericordia Univ., obtaining a degree in Occupational Therapy, followed by 15 years as a OT in local retirement communities. In January 2015 he retired and became more actively involvedwith Downtowners, although a member since its founding. John and his wife Ellen live in Hamilton Park, Lancaster Township. His interests include history, gardening, reading, bike-riding and grandparenting.
Timothea “Timi” M Kirchner, PR and Communications Committee chair, is a widely respected, highly regarded public administrator who has lived in Lancaster during all except 5 years of her adult life after graduating from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in history and an M.S. in Educational Psychology. After a 20- year leadership role with the School District of Lancaster and various Boards of Directors, she served as CEO of the County of Lancaster for 8 years; then worked as a consultant on leadership and operations, through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development as well as private sector firms. Most recently she served as the Manager of the Borough of Lansdale in Montgomery County. Timi loves the city of Lancaster where she can walk to grocery shops, boutiques, restaurants and friends’ homes. Her son is a proud McCaskey grad.
Ken Nissley, and his wife Elizabeth have lived on the 400 block of W James Street for the past 17 years. In 2013 he retired as case manager and trainer for the restorative justice programs of Center for Community Peacemaking (now Advoz). He now serves as secretary of the Advoz Board and was a volunteer on one of the Lancaster City Youth Aid Panels for more than 12 years. Previous work included IT manager, computer programmer, teacher, and administrator in various settings including 9 years in Somalia, East Africa.
Kathy O’Kane, BSN, RN, is originally from Glen Rock, NJ, and is a current resident of Hamilton Park, Lancaster Township since 2012. She resides with her husband, Jeff, and her springer spaniel Taco. After earning her BS in Biology from Lincoln University, she earned her BSN from West Chester University. She worked at Lancaster General Hospital as a Medical/Surgical RN and then as a Case Manager. She currently volunteers with Lancaster Downtowners Just One Call (JOC), Hospice and Community, and Water Street Rescue Mission clinic. She enjoys painting with acrylics and oils, gardening, and RV travel.
Bill Parson was born in Harrisburg and now lives on Virginia Ave., Lancaster with his wife Beth. He is employed as a Certified Senior Advisor® with Everence and has worked in a variety of health insurance-related positions since 1986, most recently focused on Medicare. He also serves on the board of Mennonite Home Communities in Lancaster. Bill is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a degree in Education and attends James Street Mennonite Church.
Jon G. Walker, MD, is a retired physician who practiced in Lancaster for over 30 years. He is a long time member of the Rotary Club of Lancaster and has served on the boards of the Fulton Theatre, the Demuth Foundation, and the Lancaster Family YMCA. Jon currently serves on the Advisory Council of the Office of Aging, The Ware Center Advisory Council, and the Board of the Lancaster Marionette Theatre. He is a long time resident of downtown Lancaster.
Tana Woodcock, Just One Call Committee chair, taught American and World history at Lancaster Catholic High and Warwick High School. Currently she serves on the Quest Board and as a conductor for the African American tour sponsored by the African American Historical Society of South Central PA. Occasionally she substitute teaches at Sacred Heart School. Tana has three sons, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild, as well as 2 rescue cats, 2 grand cats, 5 grand dogs and 1 great grand puppy.
Jim Zink ran the Herb Shop at Central Market, which he and his wife owned, for his last twenty years of working. Retiring at the end of 2013, he has been an antiques dealer ever since. Jim has served on several boards in his life and has always been active in any organization to which he has belonged or where he has worked.
Executive Director Office Hours: Monday 9am-3pm, Wednesday 9am-3pm, Thursday 9am-noon
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