VOLUME 18, ISSUE 1 • HOLIDAY ISSUE

Unlocking the Future...

NEWS

2016 Arrives – Happy New Year!

We are already assembling the more than 250 volunteers it will take to once again present our world-class educational experience about business and private enterprise to our fledgling “entrepreneurs”. With the challenges the nation faces economically, our message and mission of teaching future leaders to both understand and appreciate what business means to all of us, has never been more vital.

Also with January’s arrival, our student recru i t ing e f for t s begin in earnest across the state. Schools Manager, Michelle Warofka , and her able assistant, Amber Goss , are a l ready coordinat ing with more than a dozen outside “contractors” (volunteers and graduates) who will now start visiting schools and doing in-class presentations, telling PFEW’s story and exciting potential participants to complete the application process. By the time the school year ends in early June, we expect to visit at least 400 high schools across the commonwealth, doing presentations in more than 700 individual classrooms. We also have more than

Happy New Year to all of our friends and supporters! As the holiday season comes to a close, and while we still have no state budget – some educational funds have now been released. As for so many other educational nonprofits, this is a huge relief to PFEW as we depend on a substantial number of student gifts coming to us through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program which, of course, has been frozen since July. Hopefully we will now see those gifts arriving as they are so important to the young people hoping to be part of PFEW 2016.

Speaking of PFEW 2016, staff activities are really accelerating as we only have six months remaining until the launch of this year’s program. Our readers will recall that last summer we graduated more than 2,000 students (2,042 actually) and we are preparing for an even larger class this year.

This year marks the 38th summer that our Foundation will host PFEW for eager rising high school juniors and seniors from all 67 counties of Pennsylvania. Later in this issue we will detail more about our Annual Meeting that was held in November.

At that meeting, our Board of Directors approved a Budget that will enable us to accommodate up to 2,300 students this summer at our host campuses of Lycoming College and Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport. With the graduation of the coming summer’s five classes of students, our alumni numbers will exceed 40,000 young men and women who have taken the PFEW “journey” since our birth in 1979.

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Recent Travels, Part I

During John’s fall travels he paid a visit to Ramon Escudero, Executive Director for the Elizabethtown Area Chamber of Commerce, to thank them for the Chamber’s support. Pictured is Ramon with the Chamber’s 2015 Appreciation Plaque.

The Ephrata Area Chamber of Commerce has enthusiastically promoted PFEW to its members and schools. Here, Chamber Board President Michele McHenry (l), and Executive Director Andrea Glass (r), receive their 2015 Commendation Plaque.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, headquartered in Allentown, PA, has been an incredibly enthusiastic booster of PFEW’s mission for decades. John is pictured here, presenting Chamber Executive Vice President, Business & Diversity Councils Danielle Joseph, with their 2015 Appreciation Plaque.

The East Norriton Industrial Development Authority in Montgomery County has, for years, provided scholarship support to students attending Norristown Area High School. Recently, Foundation President John Trombetta had the opportunity to appear before the Authority with two of our recent graduates. John shared the history of our Foundation and PFEW while the students recounted very emotional testimonials about their participation this past summer. Pictured (l-r) are Don Delamater, Township Manager; Joan Morello, former PFEW volunteer; Crystal Assenmacher, PFEW 2015 Graduate; Benjamin Gilbert; Bradley Amengual, PFEW 2015 Graduate; Don Benn, and John.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has been a longtime booster for area students. Here, Executive Director Wendy Klinghoffer received their Appreciation Plaque from John.

Recently, John had the opportunity to visit Jodi August, Executive Director of the Greater DuBois Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development, to present her with this year’s Foundation Appreciation Plaque and Student Champion Plaque for 2015.

The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry has promoted PFEW to both their business and schools communities for many decades. A number of their personnel have served numerous times as volunteers at the program including Business Services Liaison Sandi Thompson, pictured here with Chamber President Thomas Baldrige, receiving their 2015 Appreciation Plaque from John.

A staunch and enthusiastic booster for many years, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC actively promotes PFEW throughout the entire Central PA region. Here, John visited with David Black, President & CEO of the Chamber, to present him with this year’s Board Commendation Plaque.

The Manufacturers’ Association of South Central Pennsylvania has been a loyal booster of PFEW virtually since the birth of our program more than three decades ago. Here, Executive Director Tom Palisin, also a FFEE Board member, received their 2015 Board Commendation plaque from John.

Over the past several years, the Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce has become an enthusiastic booster of PFEW for area students, especially those attending Souderton High School. Recently John visited with Executive Director Steven Hunsberger to thank him and present the Chamber’s Appreciation Plaque for 2015.

So committed is the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce to PFEW and its mission that they now use the proceeds from their Annual Scholarship Dinner to sponsor area students to the summer program. John was again accorded the privilege of addressing the audience, giving them a brief history of PFEW’s storied birth and development. He was joined by several of the Chamber’s scholarship recipients for 2015 who also shared moving testimonies about their time at the program. Pictured with John (l-r) are: Greg Buckler, President & CEO LVCC; 2015 PFEW Graduates Madeline Gingrich from Palmyra Area SHS and Dakota Locklear from Annville Cleona JSHS.

John had the opportunity to attend the fall meeting of the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP) which has endorsed PFEW for more than two decades. Here, John presents Association Chairman, Carrie Stuart (c), and Chairman-Elect, Chad Amond (l), with their 2015 Commendation Plaque from the Foundation.

2015 Annual Meeting-Foundation for Free Enterprise Education

On November 20th, the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, PFEW’s parent organization, held its Annual Meeting in Williamsport. The purpose of this gathering of our thirty Directors is to review the recently completed program and also to approve plans for 2016. As indicated in our cover article, the Board adopted a Budget that will allow us to accommodate up to 2,300 students over our five sessions in July and August.

The Meeting also marked the official beginning of the Foundation’s next three-year Strategic Plan. In addition to potential future growth, the Plan will focus on a variety of activities designed to position PFEW to maintain its excellence and deliverability for decades to come.

One of the key agenda items for any Annual Meeting is the election of Officers and Directors for the coming year. We are very excited to announce the unanimous election of three new Directors to the Foundation: Mr. Kevin P. Robins, President & CEO of the MidAtlantic Employers’ Association in King of Prussia, PA; Mr. Steven B. Shivak, President of SMC Business Councils in Cranberry Township, PA; and Mr. Wico van Genderen, President & CEO of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Congratulations to our new Directors and this year’s slate of Officers!

2015-2016 FFEE Officers (l-r): James Golding – Secretary; Patricia Baun – Immediate Past Chairman; David Campbell – Chairman; Vincent Matteo – Vice Chairman; Russell Brooks – Treasurer;

John Trombetta – President & CEO

Kevin Robins

Steven Shivak

Wico van Genderen

My Year 2016 Commitment

You can play an important role in a young person’s successful future by enclosing your 501(c)(3) tax deductible contribution today.

Your investment will help our young people learn just how important our private enterprise system is to the freedoms that all Americans enjoy and sometimes take for granted.

I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A COMPANY ADVISOR.

I AM INTERESTED IN BEING A BUSINESS SPEAKER FOR PFEW.

A donation of $575 will help provide a scholarship for a student to attend PFEW.I would like to make a gift of $_____________________________ to the PFEW Scholarship Fund.

Check Enclosed (payable to PFEW) Invoice me on ________________________ (date) Founder’s Club --- $15,000+ Keystone Club --- $5,000 - $9,999 President’s Club --- $10,000 - $14,999 Student Champion --- $2,000 - $4,999

Patron Fund (Program Materials) --- $1,000 or more

Name _________________________________________________________________ Title __________________________________________

Company Name ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City _____________________________________________ County _______________________ State ____________ Zip _______________

Telephone No. __________________________________________ e-mail ____________________________________________________

I would like to sponsor students from _________________________________________________________ County, and

_____________________________________________________________ High School, if possible. Thank you!The Foundation for Free Enterprise Education is an educational not-for-profit corporation dedicated to promoting awareness about free market economics and private enterprise to the general public. All gifts are tax deductible. A copy of the Foundation’s official registration and financial information may be obtained from the PA Department of State. Call 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Alumni Spotlight – “...the kind of event that is once in a lifetime...”

to sit with my actual team, who made fun of me for sitting in the wrong place at first. Even though it was embarrassing, it was a good way to get to know my company, C1, very well. After the assembly, all of the parents left, and the students went to their company rooms. This is where we truly got to meet each other, as well as our company advisor. He, Mr. David Sterrett, welcomed us and explained everything. We then played a game where we got to know our group members even more. Throughout that first day of our company being together, I knew I would have a wonderful week, especially since my roommate actually showed up later on in the day. The next day we had to elect CEOs of our companies, otherwise known as the leaders. I must have demonstrated some capability somewhere in our first meeting because my team decided to elect me as our company’s CEO. I was stunned, yet overjoyed. I was extremely happy to be able to lead such a great group of kids. Although we did not win any awards, we worked to the fullest extent in all areas while having tons of fun in the process. If I had one wish in my life, it would be to be able to experience PFEW one more time.”

PFEW 2015 Graduate Zachary BergersenHazleton Area HSLuzerne County

“Make no mistake, PFEW really is a business camp, but it is so much more than that. You put yourself in an environment jam-packed with kids just like you. Whether you are intelligent, musically talented, a gifted artist, a great leader, or a jack-of-all-trades, you will feel right at home at PFEW. Even if you think you are shy or that you won’t fit in, trust me, you will. This is coming from a kid who was always made fun of for being too crazy with his ideas, and then bullied for it. I thought I wouldn’t fit in. I was assured everything would be just fine. I took my chances and decided to take part in PFEW. That was easily the best choice of my life. I loved every second of it. Whether I was laughing, debating, instructing, learning, or posing for a picture, I was completely exuberant and exultant. PFEW is the kind of event that is once in a lifetime, so you truly do not want to miss it. This is one of the very few one-time experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life.

In a more personal sense, my time at PFEW was absolutely incredible. As I first arrived, I was exceptionally nervous. As I set up my room at Lycoming College, it seemed like I didn’t have a roommate at first. So I unpacked my stuff and led my parents to the first assembly. That is where we were able to initially sit with and meet our company (team). So, of course, I sat down and although nervous, I started talking with some of the kids. After a bit of that, one of the kids mentioned that E1 will be amazing since I was in it. I then realized, I sat with the wrong team. I apologized to them and said it was great meeting them. I proceeded

3,000 school contacts in high schools across the state, also spreading PFEW’s message and encouraging their students to take advantage of this one-of-a-kind opportunity.

In the months leading up to the holidays, we have already been out in the field meeting with our partnering organizations, donors and potential volunteers. The following pages pay tribute to a number of them and also contain testimonials from several of our 2015 graduates about what the program meant to them.

As we welcome this New Year, our entire staff and Board of Directors would like to wish you a successful and prosperous 2016. Thank you so much for your devotion to our young people and to PFEW’s mission of preparing them to assume their leadership roles for Pennsylvania and the country in the very near future. Happy New Year!

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Since PFEW’s inception 38 years ago, we have been blessed to have the extraordinary and unflagging generosity and support of our founder, Frederick W. Anton, III, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association (PMA). John is pictured here, presenting PMA’s President David Taylor, with their 2015 Appreciation Plaque.

Recent Travels, Part II

Throughout our history, Pennridge High School has been able to send many students each summer to PFEW because of the enthusiasm of the Pennridge Chamber of Commerce and its dynamic Executive Director Betty Graver. Here Betty (r) and Executive Assistant Mindy Rudick (l) are pictured with their 2015 Appreciation Plaque from the FFEE Board.

PFEW is so very grateful for the support we receive each year from the Pennsylvania Business Council. Here, their President & CEO and FFEE Board Member, Dave Patti and Administration Manager and PFEW Company Advisor, Rosalie Adams, receive their 2015 Appreciation Plaque.

FFEE Vice President Karen Musante was invited to the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce to address their Board at a recent breakfast. Pictured are Bernadette Puzzuole, J.D., President/CEO of the Chamber, and PFEW 2015 Graduate Peter Piccirilli.

The Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce was the first chamber in the state to initiate an annual celebration of the participation of its area students. First held in 1994, this annual fall gathering brings together the students from all of the Chamber’s area schools, their teachers, parents and their respective sponsors. This year’s event featured dozens of students sharing their stories with testimonials from a number of our volunteers. John was privileged to present the Chamber with its 2015 Keystone Club Plaque and extend our “thanks” to the Chamber and its Board for their many decades of support. Pictured with John (l-r) are PFEW Company Advisor Mike Gecht, Business Education Partnership Committee Chair Donna Mancuzo-Scalzo, and LBCCC Board Chair Kathy Zelenka.

The West Shore Chamber of Commerce, located in suburban Harrisburg, has become a staunch and enthusiastic booster of PFEW’s mission for its local students. Indeed, the Chamber’s dynamic President & CEO George Book, Jr., has himself become a perennial volunteer at the program. Here he is pictured receiving their 2015 Appreciation Plaque.

Recently, John had the privilege of addressing the Westmoreland SCORE Chapter at a recent morning meeting. Pictured with John (l-r) are Daniel H. Yates, the Westmoreland SCORE Chapter President; PFEW 2015 Graduate Claire Klanica; Rudy Frank, FFEE Board Member and Director of Strategic Services at Pittsburgh Valve & Fitting; and Paul Ward, Esq., longtime PFEW volunteer and General Counsel HR and Director, Global Ethics & Compliance, Kennametal Inc.

Alumni Spotlight – “Words cannot effectively describe...”

“My name is Sydney Klabnik and I am a recent PFEW graduate from Week 2 at Lyco this summer. PFEW was a great experience for me, so I would love to submit a brief recap of my memories from the camp.

When I arrived on the Lycoming Campus for what I had yet to know was going to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life, I will admit – I was nervous. I saw so many different faces, few of which I knew. But what I didn’t realize was that even from the first day of PFEW, something united me with all of the unfamiliar faces around me – a passion and the willingness to devote ourselves to the preservation of the fundamental ideals of business: compromise, respect, and friendship.

Words cannot effectively describe what PFEW meant to me, but the biggest lesson I took from my time at the

PFEW 2015 Graduate Sydney Klabnik

Knoch HSButler County

camp was to be confident. As nervous as I was, I ended up becoming the CEO of my company and speaking at the closing ceremony in front of the same faces I had seen when I arrived at the beginning of the week. Except at that time, I saw my family before me, eager to listen and appreciate my ideas. If you wish to be surrounded by the most supporting, intelligent, and hard-work ing people Pennsylvania has to offer, don’t delay – sign up for PFEW today!”

The Upper Bucks Chamber is so passionate about PFEW that the proceeds of its annual “Foodie” event provide scholarships for area students. Recently, the Chamber hosted a breakfast where the students from Pennridge, Palisades, and Quakertown School Districts shared their experiences. Here, John is pictured with Chamber Executive Director Tara King (l.) and Susan Dale (c.), Chair of the Foodie Committee to whom he presented an Appreciation Plaque, flanked by all the students.

Best wishes for

a wonderful New Year

3076 West 12th StreetErie, Pennsylvania 16505-3857phone: (814) 833-9576 • fax: (814) 833-9850e-mail: info@pfew.org • web site: www.pfew.org

NON-PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDERIE PA

PERMIT NO. 646

proud presenter of

Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week

Week ILycoming College

MR. CHUCK BAKER, CSCPMichelin North AmericaDR. J. RODY BORGDavis College of Business, Jacksonville UniversityMS. KATERYNA BREZITSKAMIAX Options ExchangeMR. L. W. BRYAN CHARNOCKSAP America, Inc.MR. KEVIN W. DAVISThe Davis Group (ret.)DR. AL DOS SANTOSGroup One ConsultingMS. PATRICIA A. MARTIN, PHRDVL Incorporated (ret.)MR. ROBERT A. PUCCIMain Line Chamber of Commerce (ret.)MR. MARK E. SKORICUpper Room Inc.MR. DAVID J. STERRETT, P.E., P.L.S.Millcreek Township Water & Sewer Authorities

Week IILycoming College

MS. JODI L. BRANDONBrandon EditorialMR. JOHN M. DEMASI, CHFCAffinity Wealth ManagementMR. GARY M. GOSSVerizon (ret.)MS. LINDA L. GRAHAM-GREEKButler County Community CollegeCOLONEL DAVID R. HALLEnergy AviationMR. JOSEPH P. HARFORDReclamere, Inc.MS. MELISSA M. LAMPARSKI - BAMONTEBuchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PCMR. NEAL R. LESHERNational Federation of Independent BusinessMR. HENRY G. MICHELHenry G. Michel & Associates (ret.)MR. WILLIAM N. MORRISJeld-Wen, Inc. (ret.)MR. ROBERT STEISKALDirt Cheap Building Supplies MS. TANYA STEISKALCovington County SchoolsMR. JOSEPH E. VARDAROVanguard Group (ret.)MS. DANA YURGOSKYLehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges

Week IVLycoming College and PA College of Technology

MS. ROSALIE A. ADAMSPennsylvania Business CouncilMS. SARA ARIZZIPhytogenXMR. CHRISTOPHER J. BETZThe Free Press LLCMR. NICHOLAS J. CARTERPro Quality CleaningMR. KEVIN R. CONNORModern Strategic Branding + CommunicationsMR. LEONARD A. DEANE, JR.L. A. Deane & AssociatesMR. MICHAEL GECHTTravel Ease, Ltd. (ret.)MS. JAMIE LEE GOEHRINGHudson Business Service, LLCMS. LINDA L. GRAHAM-GREEKButler County Community CollegeMRS. JULIA M. HAIGHFranklin and Marshall College - Center for Opinion ResearchMR. KEVIN M. HAIGH, CFPVanguardMR. JOHN M. JENSENHamot Medical Center (ret.)MR. JOSHUA E. KAMERERHudson Business Service, LLCMS. MELODY F. KAMERERHudson Business Service, LLCMR. MICHAEL G. KARCHNERKarchner Marketing Research, LLCMS. LESLEY J. KISTNERChamber of Business & Industry of Centre CountyMR. ROY L. KNAUTHThe Reinard Insurance Agency, Inc.MR. WILLIAM J. KOEHLEUnited States Marine Corps (ret.)MS. DONNA M. KOZIKWrite a Book in a WeekendMS. ADELAINE LAZZELLConsultantMR. JOHN LUGGLugg & Lugg Law OfficesMR. J. DAVID MURPHYFirstEnergy (ret.)MS. NAIYA PATELSodaStream USAMR. THOMAS M. REDDINGTONEverlast Metals DBA Progressive MetalsMS. VALERIE J. RHOADSCarpenter Technology CorporationMS. ROXANNA S. SEILHAMERStrickler Agency, Inc.MR. ERIC SHANNONBig BarkerMR. KYLE P. WHERRITYUnited States House of RepresentativesMS. MARIANNE J. WIMERWilliamsport Area High School

2016 Company Advisor List

Week IIILycoming College

MR. ROBERT H. DIEFENBACHERDenbrook Strategic AdvisorsMR. TOAN MINH DOCapital BlueCrossMS. MARTA J. GRIFFITHOn Track Resources, LLCMR. THOMAS V. HOLLERANHerbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.MR. JEREMY A. RAICHLE, CFAM&T BankMR. G. BRAD SCRIBNERThomas Hardware (ret.)MR. KENNETH W. SNYDER, JR.Advisor to USOC Coaching Ed. Dept. (ret.)MR. CHARLES L. WITMERCounty of Centre

Here we go! It is already time to start signing up for one of our FIVE weeks of PFEW. It will take up to 120 dedicated men and women to fully staff PFEW 2016 with mentors who will each guide a team during their “PFEW journey”. No particular background in business is required as you will receive extensive training prior to your session. For additional information, please contact Vice President & COO Karen Musante at karen@pfew.org or visit our website at www.pfew.org