We are proud to lead, serve and collaborate with the Lancaster County business community. Part of that service is recognizing and celebrating Lancaster’s business and community leaders – who have invested time, energy, and resources into creating a better economic and thriving community for all.
Meet our 2021 Business Award winners below! We will be recognizing these remarkable leaders at our 149th Annual Dinner Experience on Wednesday, September 22 at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
“We are excited to honor these incredible leaders that have transformed their companies and their communities in positive ways,’’ says Tom Baldrige, President & CEO of the Lancaster Chamber. “We hope you join us on September 22 at our Annual Dinner Experience to celebrate their impact and achievements.”
Get tickets now to celebrate these awardees, hear organizational psychologist and TED speaker Adam Grant, experience live music, and network with others.
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: Ryan Smoker & Ryan Martin
Founding Partners, Infantree
Ryan Smoker (left) is a founding partner and the Creative Director of Infantree. He’s a rock steady rationalist and talented designer, with a nose for details. In addition to mentoring our designers and writers, he ensures that brand strategy is translated into high quality creative.
Ryan Martin (right) is a founding partner and the Account Director of Infantree. Always moving a mile a minute, he offers tons of passion and big ideas to Infantree leadership. He fosters rich, long-term relationships with our clients and ensures strategic directives are always on point.
Infantree is a strategic branding agency with expertise that spans industries and services that cover all aspects of brand building, for both local and national clients. Our team of creative problem solvers put strategic and creative specialties to work with one unified goal: creating meaningful brands that move people to action.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award is sponsored by UPMC Pinnacle. The award honors a founder and owner of a business who demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit. The recipient is an independent thinker, demonstrates business growth, creates a positive internal culture, and is dedicated to the community.
ATHENA AWARD: Andrea Shirk
President/CEO, Rock Lititz
Andrea Shirk is the leader of a new kind of live event crew. Focused on building a uniquely collaborative, state-of-the-art live event experience, her dedicated team has been breaking new ground within the industry.
Andrea comes to Rock Lititz with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Engineering Management with multiple product development and program management roles, having worked in leadership programs at both Lockheed Martin and Bose. In 2013, she accepted the role of General Manager for state-of-the-art production campus Rock Lititz, where shows from around the world come to practice, train, build and structure their tours. In her most important role, Andrea and her husband, Mike Shirk, are parents to Tyler (13) and Haley (9) Shirk. You’ll find her in their classroom teaching Junior Achievement, assistant coaching her daughter’s soccer team and cheering loudly for her son’s baseball team. She is engaged in her community through passionate roles in Women in STEM and education.
Rock Lititz is a one of a kind production community that supports innovative creativity within the live event industry. With resources ranging from design, engineering and manufacturing through rehearsals, and beyond, Rock Lititz is a one-stop-shop to collaborate on any live experience. The campus includes one of a kind rehearsal facilities, unique, multi-tenant spaces that dozens of leading live event companies call home, a hotel open to both public and crews, a community theater and the campus is still growing. Rock Lititz aims to maintain an environment that promotes collaboration, creativity, education and training, designed to encourage passion and drive within the live event industry. Rock Lititz works to set new standards for the industry, focusing on programming around diversity, sustainability, career path awareness, mental health and team development.
The ATHENA award is sponsored by Constellation. The award celebrates an individual who strives toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment, have devoted time and energy to their community, and who inspires women to reach their full potential.
EXEMPLAR AWARD: Jan Bergen
Former President/CEO, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health
Until her retirement in March 2021, Jan Bergen led a health system that annually touches more than 450,000 unique lives through a network of three hospitals, more than 60 physician practices, dozens of ambulatory facilities, and more than 625 physicians and advanced-practice professionals.
During nearly four decades in healthcare, perhaps no time was more memorable than last year, when Jan led Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and through the ongoing fight against it. Jan joined Lancaster General Health in 2000 as senior vice president of ambulatory care and the Women & Babies Hospital. In the years that followed, Jan led development of innovative approaches to care, including the Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital, the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, and the Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital. After providing executive oversight of Lancaster General Health’s operations, from physician services and hospital operations to ambulatory services and post-acute care, she was named president & CEO in September 2015.
Jan lead with expertise, energy and passion, and displays a true service-oriented commitment and connection to her community. Her strategic vision and tireless advocacy for patient care were the driving forces behind Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s growth and development.
Jan holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Lafayette College and has completed graduate course work in business administration and social work.
The Exemplar award is sponsored by Janney. The award honors a local leader who has made significant contributions to community organizations and has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the Lancaster Community.
SMALL BUSINESSPERSON OF THE YEAR: Ron Weaver
Owner/President, Weaver Associates
Ron Weaver grew up on New Street in Lancaster and attended St. Annes School, Lancaster Catholic & West Chester University. Ron is married to Kathe, and has four children. Ron resides in Manheim Township. Outside of being owner and President of Weaver Associates, Ron enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family – especially his Grandchildren, Nora, Eloise, Brennan & Paisley.
Weaver Associates Inc started in 1999. We specialize in helping people put ink on paper. We either sell you the paper, toner and machine to print it yourself or we print it for you. We have been providing office equipment, printing, toner cartridges and information technology to over 600 customers in Central Pa.
The Small Businessperson of the Year award is sponsored by Brubaker Connaugton Goss & Lucarelli. The award recognizes a small business (100 or fewer employees) owner who has demonstrated business growth, invested time & energy in to developing their teams, and has contributed to our community.
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