Category: Administration

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is pleased to announce that Jamie Carnes, a 5-year staffer, has been promoted to Fiscal Controller.

Carnes began her career in finance over 10 years ago, gaining experience in financial statement preparation, general ledger activity, and capital spending management. Her career with SEDA-COG began with her role as a Finance Analyst where she served several different departments.

Throughout Carnes career, she is especially proud to have worked on correcting and updating outdated and inefficient policies and procedures. “In previous positions, I felt my work only benefited larger corporations. At SEDA-COG, I feel our work in the organization provides a much more direct impact to our local communities and the individuals who reside there,” Carnes said.

One of Carnes’ major goals includes supporting the varied programs that SEDA-COG provides.

“I look forward to the opportunities this position offers for the growth and advancement of my accounting knowledge. I am grateful for my past experience that will enable me to continue to provide support to the many diverse programs that SEDA-COG provides,” Carnes said.

SEDA-COG Executive Director Kim Wheeler said Carnes is well equipped to take on the larger role.

“Jamie’s experience in the world of finance and the guidance and training she was able to receive from her predecessor, Bo Hornberger, has made her the perfect person to take on this endeavor. I believe that under her financial direction and management, SEDA-COG will continue to make a major difference in our local communities for generations to come,” Wheeler said.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting from Lycoming College in 2011.

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

SEDA-COG has recently created a new role within their administration: Chief of Staff. Promoted to that position, is Kristen Moyer. Moyer has worked within SEDA-COG for 30 years and was previously the Director of Community Relations.

Moyer serves the entire organization and each department in this role. Due to her 30-year tenure, she has a great depth of knowledge and understanding of the organization, its partners, and the region’s needs. Moyer began her career at SEDA-COG as a Project Coordinator in Community Development, after which she worked with Procurement Technical Assistance staff helping businesses obtain government contracts. She had been the Director of Community Relations since 2019.

The Chief of Staff will serve as the Agency’s main point of contact and advocate with external partners, lead and manage special projects, and provide oversight and guidance to staff for projects of high importance. In this role, Moyer will remain the primary connection between SEDA-COG and the federal and state legislative offices.

“As my Chief of Staff, Kristen will be utilizing all of her knowledge, experience and gained insights to advise the Executive Team when it comes to external issues and how it affects the organization and its operations. Today’s landscape outside of our walls looks very different than it did 5 or 10 years ago. Having her in this position will allow the organization to more efficiently handle the complex set of circumstances and issues that we contend with. It is wonderful to have Kristen, with such astounding tenure and experience, step up into this important role for the region,” said Kim Wheeler, Executive Director of SEDA-COG.

Wheeler continued, “I look forward to working with Kristen in this new capacity that will help lead SEDA-COG’s strategic direction for the next generations.”

SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

For more information, please contact Elaine Stauder, communications coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7429 or estauder@seda-cog.org

Board officers for SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) were elected at the Dec. 7 public meeting.

The 2022 SEDA-COG Board of Directors’ officers will be Mifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish, president; Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins, first vice president; Montour County Commissioner Ken Holdren, second vice president; Larry Reisinger of Perry County, secretary; and Dennis Van Benthuysen of Snyder County, treasurer.

The 2021 officers were Juniata County Commissioner Mark Partner, president; Kodish, first vice president; Higgins, second vice president; Reisinger, secretary; and Van Benthuysen, treasurer.

Kodish said he is looking forward to serving as board president in the new year.

“Serving as board president for 2022, I look forward to continued service with our dedicated board of directors and our professional staff. Together, we will continue to administer existing programs and identify new opportunities to encourage and support long-term economic growth. These efforts serve to strengthen the quality of life throughout our 11-county SEDA-COG region.”

SEDA-COG Executive Director Kim Wheeler thanked outgoing board President Mark Partner for his service to the agency.

“Board President Partner has done an exemplary job leading throughout unprecedented times. We deeply appreciate his guidance,” Wheeler said. “We are eager to see what we can accomplish with Commissioner Kodish at the helm.”
Board member appointments and reappointments took place in January. The SEDA-COG board is a 22-member, county-based policy board representing both public and private sectors.

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

For more information, please contact Elaine Stauder, communications coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7429 or estauder@seda-cog.org