Issuu

FALL 2026

Quarterly

Plus: Step Inside Four Family Businesses Including Brentwood Industries 6 Eastern Technologies Hits the 40-Year Mark 14

ONE Platform Providing a full range of legal, investment banking, financial advisory, insurance risk management, public affairs and government consulting services to the Greater Reading community and beyond.

Stevens & Lee Griffin Financial Group FSL Public Finance Pinnacle Risk Services

GSL Public Strategies Group SES ESOP Strategies Stevens & Lee Public Affairs Reliance Search and Settlement

COMMERCE Quarterly

Leah Fassnacht, Editor lfassnacht@greaterreading.org 606 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601 greaterreading.org • 610.376.6766

The opinions expressed in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

F A L L

Your Greater Reading Chamber Alliance… » Partners with all other economic development organizations in creating an environment for growth. » Enables all businesses to take deliberate and decided action on issues affecting their welfare. » Helps small business thrive and entrepreneurs strive. » Develops employees through training and educational programs/alliances.

2 0 2 6

Contents

As the business voice of Greater Reading, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance leads the business community, as the economic driver, to a vibrant community.

FEATURES: 6

The Family Business Brentwood Industries Crystal Cave Riverview Tree & Landscaping, Inc. Schlouch, Inc.

A Day to Play

Built on Trust

» Prepares tomorrow’s workforce with our involvement in education partnerships. » Operates as a model business and pursues best practices. » Maintains a five-star rating as one of the best chambers in Pennsylvania. » Reflects our multicultural community at large. ©2026 All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced electronically or in print without the expressed written permission of the publisher. Hoffmann Publishing Group is the official publisher of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance’s Commerce Quarterly magazine. HoffmannPublishing.com • 610.685.0914

For Advertising Opportunities contact Ad Sales at Sales@HoffPubs.com or 610.685.0914 x715 Read Commerce Quarterly Magazine Online at GreaterReading.org

IN EVERY ISSUE: 5 Letter From the Editor 16 Business Spotlights 20 Ribbon Cuttings & Open Houses 24 Professional Development Graduations 26 Main Street Programs 30 Member News 34 New Members 34 Member Anniversaries

On the cover: Peter Rye, Chief Strategy Officer, and Caitlin Banta, CEO, lead Brentwood Industries.

LETTER FROM THE

Editor

There is something special about a family business.

Maybe it’s the history. Maybe it’s the pride that comes with building on something your parents or grandparents started. Or maybe it’s the challenge of figuring out how to honor what came before while still finding a new way forward. Whatever the reason, family businesses are an important part of the Greater Reading business community. And as it turns out, they make up a pretty significant part of GRCA’s 2026 membership storytelling series. This year, we’ve shared five stories about GRCA members, and four of them happen to be family businesses. Even better, no two look quite the same. At Brentwood Industries, a small Berks County plastics company became a global manufacturing powerhouse under three generations of Rye family leadership. Today, Caitlin Banta leads the company her grandfather Palle Rye purchased in 1975. At Crystal Cave, family and history go hand in hand. The DeLong family has been connected to the historic attraction for more than a century, and Jim DeLong has served as its President for nearly three decades. Through generations of ownership and countless changes above ground, the experience below ground continues to draw visitors. At Riverview Tree & Landscaping, the roots run just as deep. Donald Haas started the company in 1973, his daughter Diane eventually took over and today three generations of the family are running the business he built. Along the way, they’ve created something else that feels distinctly family-like: a workforce where employees have stayed for decades. And then there’s Schlouch, Inc., which began in 1983 when Barry and Deb Schlouch started a company together in the basement of their Berks County home. What began with a single site-preparation contract has grown into a major Eastern Pennsylvania contractor employing approximately 275 people. Four businesses. Four industries. Four very different stories. Yet there is a common thread: Each one reflects the people behind the business and the long-term commitment it takes to build something that lasts. That’s part of what makes family businesses so fascinating. They aren’t simply businesses passed from one generation to another. They are stories of risk, resilience, relationships, changing roles and decisions about what is worth carrying forward. Luckily, family businesses don’t have to navigate those challenges alone. GRCA’s Family Business Alliance (FBA) was created specifically to support family and closely held businesses throughout Berks County. Through peer connections, educational programs and C-Suite and Next Gen groups, FBA gives family business leaders a place to learn from people who understand the unique dynamics of running a business with family. This edition of Commerce Quarterly celebrates four of those stories. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed telling them. Because whether a family business started 150 years ago, 60 years ago or in a basement 40 years ago, there’s one thing they all have in common: there’s always more to the story when family is involved.

Leah Fassnacht

Leah Fassnacht Senior Director of Communications & Marketing Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Visit our website

For the most up-to-date schedule of events, training and webinars, visit GreaterReading.org and click on the events calendar at the top of the page. CQ

BOARD OF DIRECTORS GRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeffrey R. Rush – Fulton Bank (Chairman) Christina L. Weeber – East Penn Mfg. Co., Inc. (Vice Chairwoman) Michael A. Duff, Esq. – Penske Truck Leasing (Secretary) Dr. Radha Pyati – Penn State Berks (Treasurer)

DIRECTORS

Ernest J. Choquette – The Stevens & Lee Companies Kristi Gage-Linderman – Gage Talent & Business Solutions Ginger Kunkel – Tompkins Community Bank Daniel R. Langdon – East Penn Mfg. Co., Inc. /Retired Dr. Susan Looney – Reading Area Community College Jamey Maack – US Anodize John Perate – Fulton Bank Benjamin Ross – Burkey Construction James Sarro – MG Architects, Ltd. Alan Shuman – Shuman Development Group David W. Stonesifer – Cherry Bekaert (formerly Herbein + Company, Inc.) Michael Vind – FSL Public Finance John Weidenhammer – Weidenhammer

GREATER READING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kristi Gage-Linderman – Gage Talent & Business Solutions (Chairwoman) Alan Shuman – Shuman Development Group (Secretary) John Perate – Fulton Bank (Treasurer) Timothy Dietrich – Barley Snyder (Solicitor)

DIRECTORS

Brian Dietrich – Ernst & Young (EY LLP) David Farrar – Santander Arena Alba Fernandez – Finanta Shaun Hart – UGI Utilities, Inc. Craig Hirneisen – EnerSys Joey Jurgielewicz – Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd. Danielle Knudsen – Griffin Financial Group Kristin Kohler – Brentwood Industries, Inc. Ben Leisawitz – Barley Snyder LLP Jaime Perez – Berks Redevelopment Authority Dr. Radha Pyati – Penn State Berks Daniel Richards – Berks County Intermediate Unit Dr. Rodney Ridley – Alvernia University Mike Riley – EthoSource, LLC Ben Ross – Burkey Construction James Sarro – MG Architects, Ltd. Chris Shellhammer – DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Rebecca Shugar – Fulton Bank Brad Stephenson – New Castle Lawn & Landscape David W. Stonesifer – Cherry Bekaert (formerly Herbein + Company, Inc.) John Weidenhammer – Weidenhammer Heather Zimmerman – Experience Reading & Berks County

GREATER BERKS DEVELOPMENT FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Debra L. Millman, Esq. – Greater Berks Development Fund (President) Jamey Maack – US Anodize (Vice President) Daniel R. Langdon – East Penn Mfg. Co., Inc. /Retired (Chairman) Ernest J. Choquette – Stevens & Lee/Griffin (Vice Chairman) Michael A. Duff, Esq. – Penske Truck Leasing (Secretary) Michael Vind – FSL Public Finance (Treasurer)

DIRECTORS

Charles F. Barbera, MD – Tower Health Joseph Butto – Mid Penn Bank Dr. Glynis Fitzgerald – Alvernia University John Hanna – Fromm Electric Ginger Kunkel – Tompkins Bank & Trust Dr. Susan Looney – Reading Area Community College Timothy D. Romig – Customers Bank Jeffrey R. Rush – Fulton Bank Joseph J. Sigle - Wells Fargo Sally Stewart – Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Nicholas D. Stoltzfus – DESCCO Design & Construction Christina L. Weeber – East Penn Mfg. Co., Inc.

The Family Business

Power

Brentwood Industries

The Behind Everything

How Brentwood Industries Went from a Small Shop to a Global Manufacturing Powerhouse By Bell Media Group & GRCA Marketing Team

Editor’s note: The following stories were written as part of the GRCA member storytelling campaign. To read the entire stories behind these family businesses, scan the included Flowcodes. Photo by Lauren Adele Little Photography. This series is sponsored by Bell Media Group. Sixty years ago, Brentwood Industries started in a rented building outside Reading with two homemade thermoforming machines and a handful of employees. Today, it’s a global plastics manufacturer with 15 facilities across three continents, shipping engineered solutions to nearly 100 countries. Its products cool data centers, treat municipal water, protect medical devices and manage stormwater beneath city streets. Most people will never see the solutions it builds—but you’d sure notice if they weren’t there. Under third-generation family leadership, with Caitlin Banta of the Rye family recently named president and CEO, this is the story of how a small family business in Berks County grew into a powerful force in global manufacturing.

The Story Behind Brentwood Industries

In the late 1970s, Palle made a decision that would shape Brentwood’s future. The company was operating as a job shop—making components to customer specifications and waiting for the next order. It was a model that put the business at someone else’s mercy: growth depended on the customer’s growth, and loyalty could disappear the moment a competitor quoted a lower price. Palle recognized Brentwood needed its own products, its own market presence and its own reason to exist beyond filling orders.

The Rye family’s connection to Brentwood began in 1975 when Palle Rye, a Danish immigrant and engineer The pivot into a proprietary business model was the who had arrived in Reading via Dana Corporation, purchased the then-decade-old plastics company with beginning of what Brentwood is today. 100% bank financing and got to work. It was a modest “He turned it into a brand,” says Caitlin. “Not just a operation: one building at 610 Morgantown Road, about 35 employees, roughly a million dollars in annual revenue. resource—he created intellectual property, know-how, something unique that only we could offer. That has Nothing about the current operation suggested what it would become. continued and multiplied ever since.” 6

Peter Rye, Palle’s son, joined the company in 1993. Caitlin, Peter’s daughter, came aboard after college in 2011. By the time Peter transitioned to Chief Strategy Officer and Caitlin stepped into the CEO role, Brentwood had expanded far beyond its original Morgantown Road facility—growing into a global organization with operations in West Virginia, Arkansas, the Czech Republic, Thailand, India and beyond. Today the company employs roughly 1,000 people and ships to nearly 100 countries. The model that drove all of it has stayed the same: listen to customers, find the need that isn’t being met and build something only Brentwood can offer.

Continued on next page >

General Contractor

Commercial/Industrial/Healthcare/Retail • General Contracting • Remodeling • Excavation/Demolition

• Facility Maintenance Services • Welding & Fabrication • & Much More!

8 Tube Drive | Reading, PA 19605 | 610.916.9828 | blattgroup.com 7

The Family Business continued

Crystal Cave

What

Lies Beneath For 150 Years, Crystal Cave has been an Underground Wonder Two farmers were blasting for limestone in 1871 when they accidentally blew a hole in the side of a hill and found something no one expected. What they discovered has been captivating the public ever since. For decades, Crystal Cave has witnessed first dates and marriage proposals, school field trips and baptisms—all held 125 feet below the surface of the earth. And while the world above it has changed in almost every conceivable way over the past 150 years, what lies beneath the surface at Crystal Cave remains a safe haven for experiences that never will.

The Story Behind Crystal Cave Samuel Kohler bought the Crystal Cave property in 1872. He promptly built a wooden door to keep trespassers out and then spent four months preparing for a public opening he dubbed the “Grand Illumination.” On May 25 of that year, Crystal Cave became the first show cave in Pennsylvania. Curious visitors flocked from near and far; some by foot, others by horse and still others by carriage. Kohler built an inn for his guests, serving warm dinners by candlelight for those who’d travelled too far to return the same day. His son David took over in 1886 and held dances in what they called the Crystal Cave Ballroom. In 1922, the cave was passed to two new investors: J. Douglas Kaufman and attorney Edwin L. DeLong. The DeLong name is still connected to Crystal Cave today. Jim DeLong has served as president for nearly three decades—the first family member to actually work at the site full-time. The others, he mentions with a grin… just owned it.

Throughout the decades, life unfolded against this idyllic backdrop nestled in the rolling countryside of Berks County. In 1919, a couple said their vows underground beside a natural formation draped in flowers while someone played “Bridal Chorus” (yes, a piano had been carried into the cave for the occasion). In 1949, four generations of a family gathered 125 feet below the surface for a baptism; the baby’s grandfather had been a tour guide at Crystal Cave since 1907. In recent decades, the cave has been rewired, relit and renovated. Proposals still happen. School groups still file through in matching T-shirts. Families still pull into the lot on a summer Saturday looking for somewhere safe and wholesome to spend the day. The stagecoach that once met tourists at the train station now sits in a little museum. Attractions have grown up around the entrance: miniature golf, gemstone panning, an ice cream parlor and a nature trail winding through evergreen woods. What hasn’t changed is what people come looking for. No matter how times change, people tend to crave something real; something that asks nothing of them except to pay attention to the little details that make life magical.

Planted

Riverview

for Generations Riverview Tree & Landscaping, Inc. has Taken Root for Over 50 Years In 1973, Donald Haas left a steady job as Eastern District Supervisor at Penn Line and started a landscaping company on a piece of land in Temple that most people would have walked past without a second look. The property had a small greenhouse, a little holly farm and a lot of forest. Never one to back down from a hard job, Donald and his crew rolled up their sleeves and went to work excavating, clearing and planting seeds (literally and figuratively) for the future. Fifty-three years later, many things look different, while others feel exactly the same. Riverview Tree & Landscaping Inc.’s story is marked by challenges and heartbreak, but also opportunity and freedom.

The Story Behind Riverview Tree & Landscaping, Inc. Donald Haas spent years working his way up at Penn Line, from tree trimmer to Eastern District Supervisor, before deciding to build something of his own. He knew the Pettit family, who owned a piece of land on Pricetown Road with a small greenhouse, a tiny holly farm and a lot of forest. He made a deal: the Pettits could stay in their home for a dollar a year. He’d get to work on the rest. Riverview Tree & Landscaping Inc. opened in 1973, doing commercial and residential property maintenance, landscape design and the tree work Donald knew best. His daughter Diane was in college at the time. She went on to teach school for nearly a decade before coming back to help her father (first part-time, then full-time), and in 1995, she took over entirely. The garden center, which now operates as Riverview Garden & Gifts, came in stages. The first structure went up about 39 years ago: a small gift shop at the top of the property, followed by a greenhouse. In 2006, the family opened the large garden center that anchors the property to this day.

Nineteen days after the expansion opened to the public, Donald passed away. He never got the opportunity to truly experience what he spent years building and defining. “He attracted very good people,” Diane says of her father, with both pride and a touch of sadness. “He was very good at promoting loyalty and teaching people. We try to do the same thing.” That’s been the throughline. Not a single product line or service, but a way of operating: find people you trust, teach them well and treat them like they matter. Some of Riverview’s staff have been here for over 40 years. Brothers Ron and Frank Gattone are a prime example of that loyalty. Frank devoted 46 years to Riverview before retiring, and Ron, now past the 53-year mark, still comes in part-time and he’s not the only one! When longtime employees retire, they tend to stay nearby, picking up a shift or two each week because they’re not quite ready to leave. The current crew has staff who’ve been here for over 30 years. Donald started with holly trees and a truck. Three generations of his family are now running the business he built, and every team member represents a foundational part of what Riverview became. Continued on next page > 9

The Family Business continued

Built

Schlouch

from the Ground Up Four Decades of Lessons Shaped Schlouch, Inc. If you’ve spent any time around Barry Schlouch, you know his big energy. The warm smile. The handshake that turns into a conversation exploring three life philosophies before you’ve finished your coffee. But behind the shiny building exterior of Schlouch, Inc. in Blandon, Pa., you’ll find some surprising, candid and meaningful stories rippling beneath the surface. Stories about the hard years. The turning points. The choices Barry and his team made that turned a basement startup into one of the best places to work in the state. Dig a little deeper with us to uncover where the real story begins.

The Story Behind Schlouch, Inc. Barry Schlouch didn’t come from a business family. He grew up in a home where his parents struggled with substance abuse, with no model for trust and no blueprint for building something stable. He had a mean work ethic, working on his grandparents’ family farm that garnered him some notice, however, and a girlfriend named Deb, who was 17 when they married and who would become, in every sense, his partner in everything that followed. The idea to start a company didn’t actually start with Barry. It came from a man named Dwight Powell, a seasoned engineer with a thick Texas accent who was 25 years Barry’s senior and had spent years watching him work job sites across Berks County. “You should start your own company,” Dwight kept telling him. Barry didn’t have a business background or money to speak of. He had a loving and supportive wife, a one-year-old, a fouryear-old and a mortgage. He said yes anyway. “I had worked for a small company for five years before I started, and I really learned the trade,” Barry explains. “I got good at it. I knew how to estimate, and I knew how to project manage. I didn’t know how to start a business, but I knew how to do the work.”

In 1983, Barry and Deb founded Schlouch, Inc. out of the basement of their Berks County home, with Dwight co-signing the bank note as a 50% partner. Their first contract was a $15,000 site preparation job for a new Wendy’s restaurant that still sits in West Reading to this day. Within six months, Barry had bought out Dwight’s shares and was running it himself. Getting there wasn’t a straight line. Between that first contract and where Schlouch stands today lie four decades of hard-won lessons, setbacks significant enough to test everyone involved and a willingness on Barry’s part to do whatever the moment required—of the business and of himself.

Continued on next page >

Did You Know? Family Business Alliance (FBA), a special program of GRCA, is dedicated to supporting family and closely held businesses throughout Berks County. FBA brings family business leaders together to: • Connect with peers who understand the unique challenges of family businesses. • Learn through programs, events and the Family Business Storytelling Series. • Grow through confidential C-Suite and Next Gen peer groups. Whether you’re leading a family business today or preparing to take the reins, FBA provides the relationships, resources and community to help you navigate what’s next. Learn more about the Family Business Alliance at greaterreading.org/berks-family-business-alliance.

Reyna ITS is a Cloud Solutions Provider. Our Managed Services offering is based on the robust and best-in-class Microsoft 365/Azure Cloud Platform. We have been serving small businesses with long-term commitment and dedication since the first day we opened our doors in 2008. When you work with Reyna ITS, you engage an experienced and customer-focused professional Information Technology services provider and accomplished Microsoft partner.

Visit our website: https://reynaits.com or contact us today at (717) 553-2803.

By 2000, Schlouch was ranked the No. 1 Best Place to Work in Pennsylvania for large companies by Gov. Tom Ridge, finishing ahead of names like Hershey and Just Born. Today, Schlouch employs approximately 275 people across 42 trades and is the leading total site preparation specialist in Eastern Pennsylvania, with more than 60 percent of business driven by repeat clients. The company operates over 200 pieces of heavy equipment and runs a full in-house training season every winter to prepare the workforce for the year ahead. CQ 11

Feature

Play

A Day to

The Revamped Picnic & Games Offered Plenty of Ways to Compete, Connect or Simply Kick Back By Jackie Stiles, Vice President of Business Development & Special Programs, GRCA Photos by Wayne Becker, Zerbe Photography The GRCA Picnic & Games introduced a new format designed to give attendees more opportunities to socialize, connect and enjoy the day at their own pace. Rather than simply watching organized activities, attendees could choose to join in the games, cheer on others, mingle with friends and colleagues or simply relax and enjoy the entertainment. The games brought energy and friendly competition to the event, while the open format created a more relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. It was a great way for attendees to meet new people, strengthen connections and enjoy some fun outside of the usual GRCA setting. The combination of food, games, entertainment and informal socializing made this year’s picnic an enjoyable experience for everyone. CQ

Congratulations to the Winners! Cornament: Century 21’s Offer Squad Water Pong: DoubleTree By Hilton Reading or Nothing! Team Spirit Award: Connections Work Overall Gold: Reading Royals Overall Silver: Ethosource Overall Bronze: New Castle Lawn & Landscape, Inc.

Feature

Trust

Built on

For Four Decades, Eastern Technologies has Built Lasting Relationships One Customer and Distributor at a Time Eastern Technologies, Inc. (ETI) is marking its 40th year in business, capping four decades of custom-blended water treatment chemistry and technical support delivered from Berks County to industrial and commercial facilities across the country. Founded in 1986 in southeastern Pennsylvania, ETI built its business on an unusual promise: it would never sell around the distributors who represent it. Forty years later, that promise still defines the company. ETI formulates and blends cooling, boiler, wastewater, potable and membrane treatment products, then backs them with laboratory analysis, field support and training—all through a distributor network it has backed for over three decades. That discipline has earned recognition well beyond the region. The Association of Water Technologies named ETI its 2023 Supplier of the Year, and in July the company introduced COOLGARD, a future-ready, phosphorus-free cooling inhibitor portfolio designed to help facilities meet increasingly stringent discharge limits while delivering exceptional scale and corrosion control. The anniversary is also a moment to recognize the people who built it. Co-founder and board chairman Robert D. Keeler set the company’s course in 1986. President Gary M. Reggiani led ETI for 28 years and remains with the company. Alongside them, longtime

owner-founders Ross E. Weaver, Brian F. Immekus, Bernard L. Kiefer and W. John Soost each gave decades to the business—and to the customers, distributors and employees who depend on it. “Forty years is not an accident. It is what happens when a group of people decide, over and over, to do right by the customer in front of them,” said Reggiani. “Our desire to preserve trusted partnerships with water treaters and to remain an industry source of expertise is what has carried this company, and it is what will carry it forward.” ETI joined Sylmar Group in December 2024 and operates as a distinct company within Sylmar’s water treatment division—name, team and distributor relationships intact. “ETI is the kind of business you build a hundred-year company around,” said Michael Warady, co-founder and president of Sylmar Group. “Gary, Bob and the whole ETI team have spent 40 years earning trust one system at a time. Our job is to continue to give them room to keep doing exactly that.” ETI thanks the Greater Reading business community, its distributor partners and its employees for four decades of shared work. Water is an irreplaceable resource, and the people who look after it rarely get a headline. This one is for them. CQ

Business

Spotlights

Change

Starts Here

Bring the Change Empowers Berks County Residents to Become Agents of Change in Their Communities By Alexander Civil, Founder & Executive Director, Bring the Change

What happens when a community makes space for everyone to be seen, heard and valued? Bring the Change is working to create that kind of community across Berks County. Founded in Reading, Bring the Change’s mission is to educate, equip and empower people equitably to become agents of change in their communities. The nonprofit works to bridge cultures, foster unity and empower underrepresented communities through education, cultural programming, youth leadership and resources for immigrant and refugee families. One of the organization’s signature initiatives is the annual Berks Cultural Diversity Festival, held each September at Reading’s City Park. The festival brings thousands of neighbors, businesses and community organizations together for a day celebrating the region’s multicultural heritage through music, food and performances.

For Bring the Change, the value of the festival goes beyond attendance. It is an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to come together around a shared sense of unity and respect. The organization also offers programs such as the Agents of Change Leadership Program, which focuses on youth empowerment and leadership, and Steps to Unity, which creates opportunities for civic education and community conversations. There are several ways for Greater Reading businesses and residents to get involved, from sponsoring

BERKS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL CENTER BUILDING UPGRADES

MG-ARCHITECTS.COM ARCHITECTURE | DESIGN | PLANNING

community initiatives to volunteering, mentoring youth and simply attending events and helping spread the word. For an organization built around connection, its invitation to the community is simple: show up, get involved and help bring the change. Visit bringthechange.net to learn more. CQ

Business Spotlights continued

Cutting

a Path Forward Behringer Brings More than 100 Years of Expertise to Metal Fabrication By Brad Watson, Director of Sales, Behringer Saws, Inc. For more than 100 years, Behringer Saws, Inc. has been focused on one thing: helping manufacturers cut and fabricate metal with precision, reliability and efficiency. Located in Morgantown, Pa., Behringer serves the North American market as part of the Germany-based Behringer Group. The company manufactures high-performance bandsaw machines, circular cold saws and structural fabricating equipment, along with custom material-handling and automation systems.

SUPERIOR SAWING TECHNOLOGY

Behringer’s equipment spans applications ranging from individual workshop and manufacturing cuts to high-volume steel construction and fabrication. Its product lineup includes bandsaws, circular saws and automated equipment for processing steel plate and profiles.

Technology is an increasingly important part of that equation. Behringer combines advanced hardware with IoT technology and automation to help customers improve speed, accuracy and costeffectiveness. The company also designs and fabricates materialhandling systems in Morgantown, allowing equipment to be tailored to individual customer requirements. That combination of innovation and manufacturing expertise is central to Behringer’s vision for the future. The company says it plans to continue building on its manufacturing roots while developing the next generation of technology and equipment. For Behringer, the goal is straightforward: build on more than a century of experience while continuing to find new ways to help manufacturers work smarter. CQ

JOIN THE MOVEMENT! Invest in Economic Development NOW The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) has a $1 million annual budget dedicated to driving crucial economic development initiatives across Greater Reading. While the Berks County Commissioners provide substantial financial support, contributions from the private sector are essential to sustaining and expanding our impact. Why Invest in GRCA? Force for Change: GRCA is a catalyst for economic growth and innovation. Your investment supports a powerful force for positive change. What’s in it for Your Business?: Beyond the immediate benefits, investing in GRCA means aligning with a network of forward-thinking businesses and leaders. You’ll gain access to exclusive partnerships, cutting-edge projects and a thriving economic environment that fosters growth and success. It’s Urgent: The time to act is NOW. With a convergence of strategic projects and partnerships, the momentum is building. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to be at the forefront of economic development in Greater Reading. If you would like to support this ongoing work to build our Greater Reading economy, become an investor today. Your journey to becoming an economic development investor can begin with an initial investment as low as $1,000, with opportunities to grow your commitment in future years.

Act Now! Secure your place among the leaders shaping the future. For more information on Economic Development Investment at the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, please contact Denise Vaquero at DVaquero@greaterreading.org or 610.898.7789.

2026 ED Investors*  Albright College  Alvernia University  Barley Snyder LLP  Berks County Convention Center Authority  Berks County Intermediate Unit  Brentwood Industries  Brian Dietrich  Caron Treatment Centers  Carpenter Technology Corp.  Cherry Bekaert  Comcast  Connors Investor Services  Customers Bank  DESCCO Design & Construction  East Penn Manufacturing  Entech Engineering  Fulton Bank  Fromm Electric  Gage Talent & Business Solutions  Jerome I. Marcus, MD  M&T Bank  MG Architects, Ltd.  Mid Penn Bank  New Castle Lawn & Landscape  Penn State Health St. Joseph  Penske  Reading Area Community College  Reading Hospital  Reading Truck LLC  Redevelopment Authority of County of Berks  Redners  RKL LLP  Shuman Development Group  Stevens & Lee  St. Luke’s University Health Network  The Standard Group  Tompkins Community Bank  United Way of Berks County  US Anodize  Vision Mechanical  Wells Fargo Foundation  Weidenhammer *Investors as of Sept. 1, 2026.

Ribbon Cuttings & Open Houses June 1 – Aug. 31

BERKS COUNTY ORTHOPEDICS Congratulations to Berks County Orthopedics on the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art facility! We were proud to join the celebration as Berks County Orthopedics opened the doors to its new home in downtown Reading, continuing its commitment to providing exceptional orthopedic care for our community.

BETHANY CHILDREN’S HOME Congratulations to Bethany Children’s Home on the ribbon-cutting of its new outdoor basketball court! This incredible new space will provide youth with opportunities for recreation, teamwork, confidencebuilding and healing through play.

BETTERVIEW COMMUNITY MENTAL WELLNESS Congratulations to Betterview Community Mental Wellness as it celebrated the grand opening of its new psychiatric outpatient clinic and welcomed its new Clinical Director, MaJuana Mayo, LSW. The celebration also highlighted Betterview’s continued growth, including 28 school-based satellite sites expanding access to mental health services throughout the region.

CLUBHOUSE LIVING Congratulations to ClubHouse Living on its official ribbon-cutting and grand opening! This incredible new space, located at 715 Clinton St., Reading, will serve as a welcoming hub where individuals with IDD and autism can build friendships, discover their strengths, develop new skills and truly feel a sense of belonging. From creative arts to wellness and athletics, ClubHouse Living is creating meaningful opportunities that inspire confidence, independence and community.

COMFORT KEEPERS Congratulations to Comfort Keepers - West Lawn & Reading, PA on an incredible milestone—25 years of providing compassionate, exceptional care to seniors throughout Berks County!

COURTHOUSE RACQUET SPORTS Congratulations to CourtHouse Racquet Sports on its official grand opening! We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with a ribbon-cutting and welcome a new destination where tennis and pickleball enthusiasts of all ages can connect, play and find expert gear and support.

DISC CENTERS OF READING Disc Centers of Reading welcomed the community for its open house, which included facility tours, new equipment demonstrations and complimentary sessions.

Continued on next page >

Ribbon Cuttings & Open Houses continued

F.M. BROWN’S SONS, INC. Congratulations to F.M. Brown’s Premium Food for Birds & Small Animals on the grand opening of its new Corporate and Pet Foods Office in Sinking Spring. This exciting milestone reflects the company’s continued growth and investment in Greater Reading.

GALEN HALL GOLF CLUB Congratulations to Galen Hall Golf Club on the exciting revitalization of its banquet hall and expanded event space!

GOGGLEWORKS CENTER FOR THE ARTS Congratulations to the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts on the launch of the Reading Roots Market!

MIELE AMUSEMENTS Congratulations to Miele Amusements on the grand opening of its newly built Reading branch office in Leesport! We wish this 4th-generation family business continued success as it grows and serves the Greater Reading community for years to come.

PEACH COBBLER FACTORY Congratulations to Peach Cobbler Factory - Sinking Spring, PA on its grand opening! We’re excited to welcome this sweet new addition to our community, bringing warm cobblers, banana pudding, brownies, cookies, shakes and so much more to Greater Reading. Check them out at 2647 Shillington Road, Sinking Spring.

READING COMPANY TECHNICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY Congratulations to RCT&HS Reading Railroad Heritage Museum on the installation of its new signage! We were excited to join them for a ribboncutting ceremony celebrating this milestone and its continued commitment to preserving and sharing our community’s history.

READING HOSPITAL – TOWER HEALTH Congratulations to Reading Hospital - Tower Health on the opening of its new Electrophysiology Laboratory! GRCA, through its affiliate Greater Berks Development Fund, was pleased to assist with the project with a $250,000 Local Share Award.

THRESHOLD Congratulations to Threshold on the launch of its new brand! GRCA joined Threshold to celebrate its rebrand, including its new name and logo, marking the transition from Threshold Rehabilitation Services, Inc. to simply Threshold after 61 years of serving individuals with disabilities in Berks County. CQ 23

Professional Development

Graduations Scan the code to view and register for future GRCA trainings.

Executive Leadership – Effective Executive Leadership Congratulations to these students from Quaker Maid Meats and The Westover Companies for completing this training.

Lead Worker Certificate Program Congratulations to these Sweet Street employees on completing this program.

Supervisor Training Module 1: Principles of Supervision Congratulations to the students from the following companies: F.M. Brown’s Sons, Inc., Mail Shark, Promise to Perform Industries, Inc., Reading Precast, Inc., SFS Group USA, Inc. and Sweet Street.

Situational Leadership Bootcamp Congratulations to the students from the following companies: Berks Technical Institute, Bethany Children’s Home, Everlasting Wellness LLC, Holiday Inn, Morgantown - Reading Area, Performance Toyota and Toppan Interamerica.

Essentials of Effective Leadership Part 2 Congratulations to the students from the following companies: County of Berks, Mail Shark, Snap-on Tools, Toppan Interamerica and Utilities Employees Credit Union.

Sales Method & Mastery Training Programs Congratulations to the students from the following companies: Ethosource, Performance Toyota and SFS Group USA, Inc.

Leading Through Change: Turning Resistance into Commitment Congratulations to the students from the following companies: Berks Technical Institute, Cherry Bekaert, DeLux Dental Laboratory, Inc. and Performance Toyota. CQ

Main Street Programs

Boyertown

Before You Click, Look Local There’s More to Discover in Boyertown Beyond Your Online Shopping Cart. By Ellen Martignetti, Main Street Manager, Building a Better Boyertown As the holiday season approaches, Small Business Saturday is a timely reminder that where we choose to spend our dollars matters. While online shopping may be convenient, choosing to shop small is an investment in the businesses, people and places that make our communities unique. When you purchase a gift from a local retailer, meet a friend for lunch, grab a coffee or buy a gift certificate from a favorite restaurant, those dollars have an impact that extends beyond that transaction. Local businesses employ residents, purchase goods and services from other area businesses and support community organizations and events, which all contribute to the local economy. In many cases, the business owner greeting you from behind the counter is also your neighbor. Small businesses also give downtowns like Boyertown their personality. Our independent shops, restaurants, service businesses, attractions and gathering places create experiences that cannot be replicated with the click of a button. Supporting them helps maintain a strong downtown district while preserving the character that makes Boyertown a destination for residents and visitors alike.

This holiday season, we encourage everyone to think locally first. Before clicking “add to cart,” consider whether you can find that gift, experience, meal or service right here in the Boyertown area. Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28 is a great place to start—but supporting small businesses can make a difference throughout the entire holiday season and all year long. Downtown Boyertown offers unique shops, dining, entertainment and experiences for nearly everyone on your holiday list. Make a day of it: shop for gifts, enjoy a meal, explore our local attractions and return for one of Boyertown’s favorite holiday traditions, Chillin’ on Main on Dec. 5. Every local purchase is more than a sale. It is a vote of confidence in a small business owner and an investment in the future of our community. For more information, visit BuildingABetterBoyertown.org to explore our directory of attractions, shopping, dining and community events. CQ

Hamburg

Serving Up More Than Burgers

Hamburg is Building Momentum in Northern Berks By Lynn Weller, Executive Director, Our Town Foundation Every Labor Day weekend, the smell of burgers on the grill fills the streets of downtown Hamburg as thousands of visitors arrive for one of Berks County’s most unique traditions. On Sept. 5, the 23rd Annual Taste of Hamburg-er Festival once again transformed eight blocks of downtown into a celebration of food, entertainment, small business and community. This year’s festival featured more than 45 burger stands, four stages of live entertainment, beer and wine gardens, family activities, contests, shopping and plenty of creative burgers. What began more than two decades ago as a three-block celebration has grown into a major regional event that brings visitors from throughout Berks County and beyond to experience Hamburg. But the Taste of Hamburg-er Festival is about much more than burgers. The festival is organized by Our Town Foundation, Hamburg’s nonprofit Main Street organization, and the proceeds support yearround efforts to revitalize, promote and preserve Hamburg. The festival gives us an opportunity to showcase our community while generating foot traffic, introducing visitors to local businesses and creating an economic impact that extends well beyond one Saturday in September. That work continues every day. In 2025, Hamburg’s Main Street Program received designation through Pennsylvania’s Main Street Matters program, beginning an exciting new chapter for our downtown. Since then, Our Town Foundation has been working with businesses, property owners, community partners and local government to implement a five-year strategy focused on strengthening Hamburg as a place to live, visit and invest.

Projects include a façade improvement program encouraging private investment in downtown properties, business development and educational programs, marketing initiatives, public art, beautification projects and efforts to better connect Hamburg’s outdoor recreation assets with the downtown business district. State Street Square also is an important part of that vision. The downtown gathering space continues to grow as a hub for concerts, arts programming, community celebrations and special events, including the first Hamburg Music Festival. In 2026, Our Town Foundation received $84,000 through the Main Street Matters program for additional improvements to the Square, building on years of investment in the property. Momentum also can be seen in the downtown business community. This fall, Hamburg is welcoming three new businesses: The Hen Shed, Card Collecting Mania and 310 Vine Cellar. Two existing businesses, Mayfield and Company and The Wolfe Den, also are expanding into new Hamburg locations. These openings and expansions reflect growing confidence in Hamburg and add even more reasons to visit and spend time downtown. The Taste of Hamburg-er Festival may bring people here for the burgers, but our goal is for them to discover everything else Hamburg has to offer. From entrepreneurs opening businesses and property owners reinvesting in downtown buildings to volunteers working hard in the community and organizations building partnerships, there is tremendous momentum in Hamburg. CQ

Main Street Programs continued

Kutztown

A Community that Shows Up

The KCP is Creating Opportunities for People to Connect, Support Local and Shape What Comes Next By Ellen Overcast, Board President, Kutztown Community Partnership One of the things I love most about Kutztown is the strong sense of community we have here. So much of what makes Kutztown special comes from the people who live here, work here, own businesses here, attend Kutztown University, volunteer and simply care about what happens in our community. That is really what the Kutztown Community Partnership (KCP) is all about—bringing people together.

Community in Action As President of KCP, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand just how much can happen when businesses, residents, organizations, the university and community leaders work together. We may all have different roles, but at the end of the day, we all want the same thing: a strong, vibrant community that people are proud to call home. One of my favorite examples of that community spirit this year was our Community Choice Awards. We created the awards as a fun way for the community to recognize the businesses and organizations they enjoy and support. We were thrilled to receive more than 800 votes. To me, that was about much more than handing out awards. It showed us that people really do care about our local businesses. They have favorite restaurants, shops, services and gathering places, and they were excited to tell us about them. Businesses including Cottage Bakery, Bagel Bar, City Cuts, Level Up, Local Folk, Kutztown Tavern, Paisley & Co., Four Monkeys and Firefly Bookstore were among those recognized. It was wonderful to see the excitement the awards created, and it is something we hope to continue building on.

Building Connections KCP also continues to create opportunities for our business community to connect. Our monthly networking meetings give business owners, community leaders and organizations a chance to meet one another, learn about what is happening locally and share ideas. Sometimes those conversations lead to referrals or partnerships. Sometimes they simply introduce two people who may not have connected otherwise. Those relationships matter.

Bringing People to Town We also continue to focus on events that bring people into Kutztown and give them a reason to spend time here. Fall Fest on Main is a great example, bringing thousands of people into town and creating a day when businesses, residents, organizations and visitors can enjoy Kutztown together. With the holiday season approaching, we are also looking forward to Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28. This is an important day for communities like ours because it reminds us just how much locally owned businesses contribute—not only through the products and services they provide, but through the jobs they create, the organizations they support and the character they bring to our community. KCP will be encouraging residents and visitors to make Kutztown part of their Small Business Saturday plans and spend the day shopping, dining and supporting local. We are working with our business community on ways to make the day fun and engaging, with additional details to be shared throughout November. Whether you stop for coffee, enjoy a meal, purchase a holiday gift or discover a business you have never visited before, every local purchase makes a difference.

Preserving the Past, Building the Future

WE MARKET BRANDS, NOT BANANAS. BUT THIS AD HAS ONE.

Another project I am especially excited about is the ongoing renovation of the historic Kutztown Strand Theatre. The Strand is an important piece of Kutztown’s history, and it has been wonderful to see activity returning to the building. The renovation continues to make progress, with the second phase moving forward this fall. There is still plenty of work ahead, but each step brings us closer to the long-term vision for the Strand—a place for movies, live entertainment, special events and community programs. I believe the Strand can become an important part of Kutztown’s future. It is not just about renovating a building. It is about creating another reason for people to come downtown, visit our shops, enjoy our restaurants and spend more time in our community. KCP is also continuing to explore Pennsylvania Main Street designation and what that could mean for Kutztown. That process is about creating a long-term plan for economic vitality, community involvement, promotion and thoughtful growth.

You won’t forget this ad — and that’s the point. We help businesses stand out in crowded markets with bold branding and smart strategy. Let’s make something a little… bananas. SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE

marketing 484-336-4341 success@madjmarketing.com madjmarketing.com

Community Takes All of Us If there is one thing I have learned through my involvement with KCP, it is that community does not just happen. It takes people who are willing to show up, share ideas, volunteer, support local businesses and sometimes simply ask, “How can I help?” We have a lot happening in Kutztown, and I am excited about where we are headed. After all, it is right there in our name. Community. Partnership. Those two words really do say it all. CQ

THANK YOU to our Hoffmann Publishing Group Media Sponsors for their vital advertising support of the 2026 Reading FilmFEST. Their partnership helps power our vibrant community of storytellers, filmmakers and cinema lovers.

301 South 7th Ave. Doctor’s Office Building, Suite 3220 West Reading, PA 19611 484-628-2663 berksortho.com

PO Box 315 Lititz, PA 17543 717-568-2700 northstarinitiative.org Lisa Tiger Team lisatigerhomes.com 29

Member News

Industry & Community

Newsmakers

Congratulations! The Adalyn Rose Foundation is proud to announce a significant milestone in its mission to improve bereavement care for families experiencing the loss of a baby or toddler. The Foundation now partners with 50 hospitals across the United States, providing a total of 58 Remembrance Carts that offer immediate comfort, resources and guidance to families during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.

The Adalyn Rose Foundation is proud to officially announce a new partnership with ProBerco, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities throughout the Berks County community. Through this collaboration, ProBerco vocational employees will assist in packing and shipping Adalyn Rose Foundation Remembrance Cart supplies to hospitals across the country. These carts provide compassionate resources and keepsakes for families experiencing the loss of a baby or child, helping ensure hospitals are equipped to provide gentle guidance and support to families.

Kutztown University President Dr. Philip Cavalier has named Matthew Assad, ’15, ’26, Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Assad has been with KU since 2020 and has served as interim Vice President and CFO since January.

Kutztown University has named Dr. Deborah Kidder as Dean of the College of Business. Kidder brings more than 30 years of experience to KU. Kidder most recently served as the Dean of the Turner College of Business and Technology at Columbus State University from 2021 to 2025.

Barley Snyder is pleased to announce the expansion of its international business and trade capabilities through a newly structured subgroup within its Business Practice Group, the International Business & Trade Group. This step reflects Barley Snyder’s response to its growing client demand and an increasingly complex global marketplace, aligning its international practitioners to enhance client service and collaboration. The International Business & Trade Group brings together attorneys from across multiple practice areas with deep experience advising clients on the legal and regulatory issues that arise when businesses operate across borders. The group advises clients ranging from manufacturers and distributors to logistics providers and professional service firms that depend on global markets to remain competitive.

Continued on next page >

Member News: Industry & Community Newsmakers continued

The Wyomissing Foundation and United Way of Berks County announced leadership transitions. Pat Giles has announced her retirement as President of The Wyomissing Foundation, effective May 2027. She has guided the Foundation through a period of continued growth and impact, advancing the organization’s mission while strengthening its commitment to strategic philanthropy, community partnerships and stewardship of the legacy established by the Foundation’s founders. Tammy White has announced her retirement from United Way of Berks County, effective June 2027, concluding a remarkable 37-year career with the organization. During her tenure, United Way expanded its community impact work, strengthened partnerships across Berks County, launched initiatives focused on early literacy and educational success, responded to community crises and maintained its role as one of the region’s leading philanthropic organizations. The Wyomissing Foundation Board of Trustees has appointed White to succeed Giles as President, effective June 2027.

Discovery Federal Credit Union is proud to announce the addition of Michael Byrne as its new Business Development Manager. In this role, Byrne will focus on building and strengthening relationships with new and existing businesses throughout Berks, Montgomery and Chester counties. His efforts will support local economic growth, foster community partnerships and help area businesses succeed and thrive.

Congratulations! 32

Barley Snyder is pleased to announce that partner Eden R. Bucher has been appointed President of the Board of Directors for the Animal Rescue League of Berks County (ARL), continuing her longstanding commitment to the organization and its mission. Bucher has served on the ARL’s Board of Directors for many years, supporting the organization’s efforts to protect animals, providing a safe environment and promoting programs and services that benefit both animals and the community.

Rhoads Energy announced it has put two new Ford F-750s into service. What sets them apart? These heavy-duty work trucks run entirely on propane. Propane offers significant benefits for fleet operators: they are quieter, cleaner and far less expensive to operate than those running on diesel.

D&S Elite Construction, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of John Purr as Construction Program Lead and Graham Johnston as Carpenter, which further strengthens the company’s expertise across commercial, residential and specialty construction projects. Purr will oversee upcoming capital projects while working closely with the team to ensure successful project execution. Johnston will help construct and maintain exhibits at the Elmwood Park Zoo.

Reading Public Museum is excited to announce that Braden Stone has moved into the role of Manager of Internal Events. Stone previously served in the Wedding Coordinator role.

CASA of Berks County is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Biancone, MSW, as its new Executive Director. Biancone brings a wealth of nonprofit leadership experience, community engagement and a deep commitment to serving vulnerable populations. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of the LGBT Center of Greater Reading, where she guided the organization through a period of significant growth and strengthened partnerships throughout Berks County.

East Penn Manufacturing Co. has been named to TIME’s America’s Best Private Companies 2026 list. Presented in collaboration with Statista, the annual ranking recognizes the top private companies in the United States based on employee satisfaction and company impact. East Penn ranked 18th among 500 private companies nationwide selected for this recognition.

Barley Snyder is pleased to announce that attorney Hyo Jin (Jinnie) Lee has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger in Berks and Schuylkill counties.

Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management, LLC (Cornerstone) announced that Dianne Pagano Manges, CFA, has joined the firm as Director, Institutional Solutions. Pagano Manges brings more than 30 years of experience in asset management, advising endowments, foundations and other mission-driven organizations on strategic investment planning and customized portfolio solutions. In her role, she will support and expand Cornerstone’s institutional and philanthropic client relationships, contributing to the firm’s high-touch approach and long-term partnership model.

Barley Snyder is pleased to announce the formation of its Community Associations Practice Team, a dedicated focus area within the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group that brings together attorneys and paralegals who advise developers, homeowners’ associations (HOAs), condominium associations and other community associations throughout Pennsylvania. Led by Reilly Noetzel, the Community Associations Practice Team includes more than 25 legal professionals who assist clients at every stage of a community’s lifecycle— from the initial structuring and development of planned communities and condominiums through turnover, governance, enforcement matters and ongoing association operations.

Get ready to step inside a Berks County treasure! The historic William Penn Memorial Fire Tower on Skyline Drive is re-opening to visitors soon. Owned and preserved by the City of Reading, Mount Penn’s “Guardian of the Mountain” will once again offer breathtaking views and rich local history. Visit WilliamPennFireTower.com to check re-opening updates, explore upcoming events and subscribe to WPTowerTalk for the latest news! CQ

Member News:

New Members & Anniversaries

JUNE 1, 2026 - AUGUST 31, 2026 New Members

OCTOBER 2026 - DECEMBER 2026 1 Year

5 Years

Berks VA Community Clinic

All In Dumpster Services, LLC

Bell Media Group

Betterview Community Mental Wellness & Medication Management

AmeriGas Propane, L.P.

Berks Homes

C2C Design Group

Archwood Soapery

Hubric Resources

Berks Imprints

Kissinger Associates, Inc.

Blades of Steel Landscaping

SmartCost Incorporated

Clubhouse Living Community Bank NA Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management, LLC CourtHouse Racquet Sports DeLong Consulting LLC Devlins Pest Control Digital Mully EcoShip Empire Beauty School First Resource Bank Ignite CDFI Jen Barkman, Realtor Jubilee Ministries Keller Williams Platinum Realty Keystone Villa at Douglassville Keystone Ville at Douglassville Independent Living

Claire Malfaro Counseling & Consulting, LLC

10 Years

Dayspring Homes, Inc.

Elegance Derma Spa

Dished & Done LLC

Stoney Creek Rentals, Inc.

ECBM Higher Information Group

15 Years

HoneyPop

Anewalt’s Landscape Contracting

Ivy Rehab JB Plumbing HVAC & Construction

Berks Earned Income Tax Collection Bureau

KCI Technologies, Inc. Lancaster Country Day School

20 Years

Lancaster Stormers

Berks Catholic High School, Inc.

Lausch’s Moving Company

Kriegman & Smith, Inc.

Little Feather Cleaning Co.

NHS of Greater Berks, Inc.

Longview Private Wealth Management

25 Years

Keystone Ville at Douglassville Personal Care/Memory Care

LoudAF.ai New Life Coffee Company

Body Zone Sports and Wellness Complex

MidMoon Media

Over the Moon Event Rentals

Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd.

Mr. Electric of Reading

Pinky’s Junk Removal, LLC

Northeast Remote Surveillance and Alarm, LLC

Radius Corporation

PaulB Hardware Peaceful Minds Counseling LLC QNB Bank Reading Company Technical & Historical Society Red Patch Roofing & Contracting, LLC Red Wing Shoes Seakeeper

30 Years

S.H.E Sisterhood

Reading Housing Authority

Stock Yaw Crop LLC.

Sweet Street Desserts

Three Hive Studios Trinity Solar - Katulka Team

35 Years

Uncorkd

K.L. Harring Transportation, LLC

Universal Services Plumbing Heating Cooling

Manor Golf Club, Inc.

Wakefield Hillcrest, LLC

Spring House Window and Door Vector Media Well + Wild Pilates

Family Business Alliance Sponsors Major Sponsors: D&S Elite Construction, Inc. FORCEpkg Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys RKL LLP Program Sponsors: Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC JPMorgan Chase & Co. Zerbe Photography Family Champion Sponsors: Gage Talent & Business Solutions M&T Bank Orrstown Bank The High Center 34

Interested in becoming a part of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance? Contact Dallan Yoh at dyoh@greaterreading.org

or 610.898.7775.

Thank you to our Community Champion GRCA members! Boscov’s Department Store, LLC Brentwood Industries, Inc. Carpenter Technology Corporation Customers Bank East Penn Manufacturing Company J.P. Mascaro & Sons M&T Bank Penn State Health St. Joseph Penske Truck Leasing Quaker Maid Meats R.M. Palmer Company

Reading Area Community College Redevelopment Authority of the County of Berks Santander Bank, N.A. Signal of Eastern PA Stevens & Lee Tower Health UGI Utilities, Inc. WEEU Radio Wells Fargo

JAMES SNELL

TOM REDDEN

Business Manager

Financial Sec.-Treasurer

STEAMFITTERS LOCAL UNION 420 WE DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME! Since 1903, we have been providing Southeastern Pennsylvania with the safest, most qualified Steamfitters, Welders & HVAC Technicians. DATA CENTERS

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

PETROCHEMICAL

RESIDENTIAL HVAC

PHARMACEUTICAL

SERVICE & INSTALLATION

NUCLEAR/ENERGY

COMMERCIAL HVACR

GAS PIPELINES

HEALTH CARE

Some of your most important connections can be found close to home We’re proud to put Berks County first for 32 years, and we’re committed to helping you build on your success with a financial approach that’s designed for you. What would you like the power to do?®

Maggs & Associates Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 985 Berkshire Blvd. Suite 200 Wyomissing, PA 19610 610.320.5462 advisor.ml.com/sites/pa/reading-pa/maggs

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, and Member SIPC. MLPF&S is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. Connect with Merrill: © 2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. 8736971 Vault-BA118RH | TEMP-01-26-2512 | MLWM-245-AD | 02/2026

Commerce Quaterly Fall 2026