RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent John Roskowski and wife Andrea receive the Emerging Business Award for John Ryan Brewery during the Annual Meeting of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce at the Holiday Inn in Williamsport on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Shown from left are, Meghan Quinn, John Roskowski and wife Andrea, Tim Keohane and Gabe Sinicropi.
A retiring leader of Little League, excited owners of a restored historic mansion serving as a destination for fine dining along East Third Street in Old City Williamsport, a philanthropic-minded high-tech employer in Lycoming County and a brewery with a theme designed to foster relationships that promote the great outdoors. Nonwoven Interlayer Cotton Wadding Line
These were among the award winners at Monday’s 138th annual awards banquet of the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce at the Holiday Inn Express.
Leading off, after a welcome by Gabriel J. Sinicropi Jr., chair of the board, was a heart-touching award given to Steven D. Keener, CEO of Little League International, who was presented with the Vince Matteo Excellence in Leadership Award.
“When Jason (Fink, the chamber of commerce president and CEO) told me he was giving me this award, I first said ‘no,'” Keener said.
But once he was told the award was named after his late friend and the former chamber president, Keener stepped up to the plate.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent New Trail Brewery receives the Phillips/Plankenhorn Small Business Award during the Annual Meeting of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce at the Holiday Inn in Williamsport on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Shown are Taryn Hartle, Mike LaRosa, Charles Imbro and Gabe Sinicropi.
With emotion in his voice, Keener said he had no doubt that Matteo would be looking down at the New York Yankees playing the Detroit Tigers this year at the Little League World Classic at Bowman Field, for Matteo was a devoted Yankees fan.
Under Keener’s leadership, Little League expanded its number of teams playing in the annual tournaments, strengthened broadcasting ties with ABC and ESPN and brought in business sponsors enabling more youth to play baseball or softball. He also witnessed the establishment of urban initiative, led the organization through the challenge of the loss of the series in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and extended the glove of friendship and team play to Cuba.
Also awarded was Williamsport couple, John and Andrea Roskowski, who were presented the chamber’s Emerging Business Award by Timothy J. Keohane, director Penn State Small Business Development Center, for their ownership and development of John Ryan Brewery at 131 E. Third St., located in Old City Williamsport, the area designated as the first area settled.
“We moved back here eight years ago,” John said. “Never in a million years did I ever think we’d have the opportunity that we’ve had being in Williamsport,” he said, adding how the “chamber has opened a lot of doors for us.”
West Pharmaceutical Services Inc., with facilities in Williamsport and Jersey Shore, was the recipient of the Staiman Family Large Business Award presented by Philip H. Johnson, regional president, M&T Bank.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Stephen D. Keener, President, CEO of Little League International, right, receives the Vince Matteo Excellence in Leadership Award at the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce at the 138th Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn in Williamsport on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Presenting the award are Vince Matteo's, wife Sue Matteo and daughter Sara Terrano.
“West Pharmaceutical has contributed to our community for several decades,” said Johnson, adding how the company has built and sustained jobs, has been a major employer and contributed to a number of charities over the years, including support for military families, food drives, education programming, those with diverse abilities and many other initiatives.
Furthermore, the company supports the community philanthropically, including Williamsport Welcomes the World event during the Little League Baseball World Series. The team at West has also provided an endowed scholarship for $100,000, Johnson related.
“We are very proud of our employees and team members for always wanting to give back to the community,” said David Lanzer, West Pharmaceutical Services Williamsport director of operations.
The last business awarded, New Trail Brewery was selected for the Phillips/Plankenhorn Small Business Award.
New Trail Brewery opened its doors in January 2018 as a microbrewery with a balanced portfolio that included Hazy IPA, pilsner and amber ale, Belgian styles and stout.
The brewery’s mission has been to highlight the expansive beauty of the region, which is at the gateway to the Pennsylvania (PA) Wilds.
“The brewery has grown so, so much,” said Mike LaRosa, owner/brewer, joining New Trail teammates Charles Imbro, Dave Hertwig and Tony Ecker on the stage.
The brewery at 240 Arch St. is expanding its reach to the surrounding 10 counties, he said.
The brewery company and its employees connect with a wide range of people and organizations in the area dedicated to elevating the quality of, and access to, the region’s outdoor resources, including but not limited to the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation and PA Trail Dogs.
“We are excited to say we are in four states now,” LaRosa said. “We are spreading the word about Williamsport and the great outdoors and just preserving our area.”
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