SCHUYLKILL CHAMBER - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Chairman of the Nonprofit Committee

Job Titles:

• Member Development & Outreach Director

Cierra Abrachinsky grew up in Mahanoy City and graduated from Mahanoy Area in 2019. She went on to attend Kutztown University, where she earned a degree in Public Administration in 2023. During her senior year, Cierra interned with the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center, dedicating much of her time to legislative outreach. Following her graduation, she transitioned into a Graduate Assistant role at the PA SBDC while pursuing her Master of Public Administration. With her family owning Abrachinsky's Hardware Store in Shenandoah, her commitment to helping small businesses thrive is deeply personal. Cierra is the only girl among her three siblings. In her free time, she enjoys watching documentaries and relaxing with her beloved cat, Smush. She cherishes spending time with her grandmother, listening to the Solid Gold Oldies. A frequent visitor to Disney World, Cierra particularly loves Animal Kingdom, where she delights in seeing the giraffes. She also enjoys exploring global cuisines at Epcot. Additionally, she is an avid fan of Kentucky Men's Basketball and Penn State Wrestling.

Job Titles:

• Chairman
• Chairman of the Executive Committee

Job Titles:

• Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Secretary
• Secretary of the Executive Committee

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee

Job Titles:

• Chairman
• Chairman of the Executive Committee

Job Titles:

• Administrative Director
• Finance

Kelly grew up in Barnesville and graduated from Mahanoy Area High School in 2004. Her path took her from Barnesville to Florida, then to New Jersey, where she graduated from the Medical Office Administration program at Fortis Institute. After that, she made her way back to Schuylkill County and worked in healthcare management before accepting the position of Finance and Administrative Director at the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce in August 2022. Outside of work, Kelly is blessed with a wonderful family. Her husband, Randy, and their daughter, Ava, keep life lively and fulfilling. They're also joined by three energetic dogs-Chloe, Mylee, and River-who bring endless joy and a bit of chaos into their lives. Traveling is a passion of hers, and Isla Mujeres, Mexico, holds a special place in her heart as her favorite vacation spot. When she's not exploring other places, she enjoys listening to music, playing games, and spending quality time with her family and friends. She does suffer from hearing loss in both ears, which often makes her a bit quieter than others. Yet, this has only deepened her appreciation for meaningful connections and the quieter moments in life. A Marley Matlin quote resonates deeply with her: "Deafness is not a disability, it's a different way of experiencing the world."

Job Titles:

• Chairman of the Member Services Committee
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member / Tompkins

Job Titles:

• Chairman

Job Titles:

• 2nd Vice Chair
• Chairman of the Ambassadors Committee
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Vice Chair of the Executive Committee

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• Treasurer
• Treasurer of the Executive Committee

Job Titles:

• Marketing Intern

Rebecca Lascala is a graduate of Pottsville Area High School and is currently a senior at Penn State University, majoring in Business with a concentration in Marketing/Management. She is currently employed for The Chopping Block and assists with dance classes at Crimson Academy for the Performing Arts. Residing in Schuylkill County her entire life, she has worked for several small businesses over the years and has a huge appreciation for the hard-work and dedication towards improving our community. Rebecca has a deep passion for creativity, design, and self-expression. Her passion stemmed from the planning and executing of her high school's yearbook, where she gained knowledge with content creation, marketing, and communications. This has led her to pursue a field that will allow her to lay the foundation for a thriving career in the industry. She is looking forward to this next step of her life post-graduation. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling, watching scary movies, listening to music, attending country concerts, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Job Titles:

• CEO
• President
• President and Chief Executive Officer of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce

Robert S. Carl, Jr., is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. Carl has been in this leadership position of the Chamber since January 2009, when he joined the Chamber as the Executive Director. He was also a past president of the Board of Directors (now titled Chair of the Board) in 2001-2002, and had previously served as a board member and committee member since 1994. Mr. Carl is an active member of his community. He believes that in order for communities to advance and prosper, individuals must be the positive force that drives development and progress. He currently serves, and has served on a wide range of public service boards, including: PA Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP), Board of Directors and Past Chair of the Board; Penn State Schuylkill Advisory Board, 1st Vice President; Schuylkill Emergency Medical Services, Board of Directors; Schuylkill County Transportation Authority, Board of Directors; Schuylkill County Commissioners Youth Summit Advisory Board; Northeastern PA Alliance (NEPA), Schuylkill County Visitor's Bureau, Board of Directors; Pottsville Area Development Corporation, Board of Directors; Schuylkill Keep It Pretty, Board of Directors; Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation, affiliate member to the Board of Directors; Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board, Board of Directors; Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Development Task force, President and Board of Directors; Berks Schuylkill SCORE, Schuylkill Division Advisory Board; and the Schuylkill Conservation District, associate board member. He is a Past President and member of the Orwigsburg Lions Club and past president of the Orwigsburg Jaycees. Mr. Carl assisted in significant fund raising achievements for the American Cancer Society, Schuylkill Unit, Relay for Life, the Blue Mt. Eagle Foundation (Past President); and The Historical Society of Schuylkill County (capital campaign Co-Chair). He has served as the Co-Chair for the Make-A-Wish Foundation Golf Tournament for over three decades. He previously served on the Schuylkill VISION and Schuylkill River Greenway Association Board of Directors. He has recently joined the Schuylkill VISION Advisory Board. He along with fellow Chamber staff members, Chamber Board members, and many business leaders and sponsors, were instrumental in bringing the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) to Schuylkill County, to an annual thirty week entrepreneurial education and business launch program supporting up to twenty-four middle school and high school entrepreneurial students each year, to realize their entrepreneurial dreams through a successful business launch. The program office and student lectures are hosted on the Penn State Schuylkill campus. Subsequently, the Chamber joined the Penn State LionLaunch initiative as a community partner. Bob was previously employed by the former Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center from 1977 to 2000, and served as the Chief Operating Officer from 1993-2000. He served as President of the Good Samaritan Development Corporation, a for profit subsidiary of the Good Samaritan Health Corporation from 1989 to 1999. During his healthcare career, Bob achieved Fellow status in the American College of Healthcare Executives. After leaving healthcare in 2000, Bob and his family established RSC Beverages, Inc. (t/a Brewers' Outlet), a wholesale/retail beverage distributor licensed by the PLCB. Bob served as the corporation's President from 2000 to 2003, and the corporation remained in family hands until 2014. Mr. Carl was elected to the position of Schuylkill County Commissioner in November of 2003, and sworn in on January 5, 2004. He served as a Commissioner until January 7, 2008. During his tenure, he was very active with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, serving as District Representative and Board Member from 2005 through 2008. Bob's term as Commissioner included credentialing in the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, Academy for Excellence in County Government. Following his term as County Commissioner, Bob accepted a position with Reading Anthracite Company, where he served as Director of Real Estate, until accepting the position with the Chamber. Mr. Carl earned his bachelor's degree in Pharmacy in 1977 from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (now the University of Sciences), Philadelphia, and his master of Business Administration degree in 1986 from Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia. he has received numerous honors including 2014 Citizen of the Year from the Orwigsburg Lions Club, and the Outstanding Young Men of America, in recognition of outstanding professional achievement, superior leadership ability, and exceptional service to the community. He recently was presented the Penn State Schuylkill Alumni Society Board as the recipient of the 2017 Pride and Spirit Award at Penn State Schuylkill, for contributions in the area of public service and volunteerism on behalf of the University. Mr. Carl is a parishioner of the Saint Ambrose Roman Catholic Church and lives in Orwigsburg Pennsylvania, with his wife Elizabeth. He is the proud father of daughter, Alexandria, who resides in Scranton, PA.

Job Titles:

• Events & Marketing Director

Samantha Day joined the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce team as the Events & Marketing Director in February 2023.

Job Titles:

• Executive Vice President

Job Titles:

• 1st Vice Chair
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Vice Chair of the Executive Committee

Job Titles:

• Controller

Job Titles:

• Member Relations Director