Member News

Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity announced the appointment of three new members to its 2021 board of directors, including new leadership to its executive team.

New to the board are: Ryan McCreary of Benchmark Construction; Fred Cluck of Horst Construction; and Carolyn Haskell of WellSpan Philhaven. Haskell had previously served on Habitat for Humanity of Lebanon County’s board and as its acting executive director prior to the organization’s merger with Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity in 2016.
Dante Swinton of Comcast moved into the position of secretary, joining Habitat’s three incumbent Habitat officers: Gary Gaissert of Pleasant View Communities, president; Adrienne Squillace of PNC Bank, vice president; and Mike Monteiro of Benefix, treasurer.
Habitat board members who are continuing their tenure include:
Dee Cook, Lebanon County Career and Technology Center
Tene A. Darby, PA Health Management
Amy Dellinger, Brownstone Real Estate
Wayne Gongaware
Christian Recknagel, TAIT
Within Habitat’s staff, Amy Balestier has been promoted to the role of Director of Development and Communications, combining her position as Director of Communications with the development role.
“After an exhaustive search, Amy proved to be uniquely qualified to grow our fundraising and overall impact of our organization,” said Szalay. “We’re blessed to have someone who is internally knowledgeable about Habitat and how to grow successful funding partnerships.”
Balestier has been in her communications role since 2014. Earlier in her career, she served as Director of Development for City Parks Foundation in New York City, where she worked on multi-million-dollar fundraising projects. In addition to continuing to oversee Habitat’s communications channels, Balestier will lead an ambitious new fundraising initiative currently in the planning phase, which aims to make a bigger impact on homeownership opportunities in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. She will begin her role March 15.
Habitat’s current Director of Development, William Dewan, is stepping down to launch his own grant writing business and will continue to work with Habitat as a consultant focusing on grants.
“Bill reshaped our development department,” said Habitat’s Executive Director Andrew Szalay. Dewan increased Habitat’s grant-funding partnerships and established Lancaster Lebanon Habitat’s planned giving program, the Legacy Builders Circle. “His leadership with our partners and among our staff will be missed.”
About Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity
Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity builds homes, communities and hope for families in need of safe, affordable housing across Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. Since 1986, the organization has built and repaired homes across the region, as well as strengthened communities through its neighborhood revitalization efforts. Working in partnership with volunteers, Habitat programs empower families to build brighter futures through homeownership. The Habitat office is located in the southwest neighborhood of the City of Lancaster. Information is available at www.lancasterlebanonhabitat.org .