Meet the 2024 EBA Board of Directors

Executive Committee:

President - Valarie Simmons - Bodacious Hair & Body

Vice President - Christine Piper - Maverick Media

Treasurer - Kelly Adams - Fidelity Bank

Secretary - Terressa Price-Gangaware - 7 Mountains Media

Immediate Past President - Mark Haldaman - Embassy Bank

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Board Members:

Lynda Hoover - Penn Community Bank

Kim Kmetz - Easton Main Street Initiative

Emilio Montesdeoca - Morganelli Properties

Ron Morris - Mercantile Home

Tanya Ruiz - West Ward Community Initiative

Nicholas Swindle - Studio DNA

City of Easton BRACE Technical Assistance Program

Another opportunity for the city's small businesses offered through the City of Easton's BRACE Program is a Technical Assistance Program with Lehigh University's SBDC.

An SBDC representative will develop a strategic action plan with immediate and long-term action steps for sustainable growth. There is no charge for their initial services performed thru the program.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/BRACEtechnicalassistance

City of Easton BRACE Loan Program

The City of Easton has launched the new BRACE Loan Program to also assist the city's many small buisness owners as they continue to recover from the pandemic.

Please review the graphic for a program overview, and go here to read complete program guidelines and to apply:

https://bit.ly/CityofEastonBRACEloanprogram

Free Grow with Google seminar hosted by Easton Main Street Initiative - Tuesday, July 25 at the Easton Public Market

City of Easton business owners can attend this free Grow with Google seminar on Google Search and Maps hosted by Easton Main Street Initiative on Tuesday, July 25 at the Easton Public Market.

A morning session and an afternoon session are offered. Advance online registration required. Scan QR codes for registration links.

Easton Main Street Design Challenge Signage Grant

Easton Main Street Initiative has a Design Challenge Signage Grant Program which can reimburse downtown property and business owners a 50% match of signage costs up to $1,500.

Sign projects that cost over $3,000 are only eligible for a maximum reimbursement of $1,500. Details and the application can be found at http://www.eastonmainstreet.org/facade/

City of Easton BRACE Grant Program

Under the recently announced BRACE Program, the City and Greater Easton Development Partnership have launched a new grant package to support our City's businesses as they continue to recover from the pandemic.

Grant applications are being accepted until Friday, July 14. To review the complete Grant Guidelines and to apply online, visit: https://bit.ly/BRACEprogram

Have additional questions? Contact the City’s Dept. of Community & Economic Development team at BRPApplications@easton-pa.gov.

Meet The EBA Board of Directors - Anna Rittle

Anna Rittle

VP - Regional Retail Sales Manager
Fidelity Bank

1. How long have you served on the EBA Board of Directors? Since 2015.

2. Why did you join the board? I wanted to be a part of a group that was making a difference, and was truly in touch with the community. EBA Board Members live, work, and play in the community that they are a part of and understand its unique dynamics and needs. EBA is supportive and is involved with other local groups too. They are a board of well-respected professionals in the Easton community who are trying to make a difference in the community they serve.

3. Why do you think a business owner should join the board? EBA is a great way to have your voice heard, and to be a part of helping the community and your business thrive. Local business owners are the heart of our community and are familiar with and know best how they need to be supported. There is a lot of time and effort placed in trying to help the local businesses, so this feedback is crucial to EBA’s success and is why business owners should consider joining the board.

4. What is the thing you like most about being part of Easton’s business community? When I reflect back on EBA’s messaging from a past initiative you will see throughout the community a bumper sticker stating “All Different, All Equal, All Welcome!” And that’s what makes our Easton business community so special!

Meet the EBA Board of Directors - Ron Morris

Ron Morris

Co-owner - Mercantile Home, Mercantile Outpost, & The Studio Stash

1. How long have you served on the EBA Board of Directors? I was recently re-elected to the Board. I served previously from 2014-2017, with two terms as president.

2. Why did you join the board? The importance of an organization that strives to bring local businesses together, and to advocate for them collectively is huge. EBA is an important organization in our developing business landscape.

3. Why do you think a business owner should join the board? Board membership offers a great opportunity to connect with our community, support our colleagues, and build connections within our city.

4. What is the thing you like most about being part of Easton’s business community? I am consistently inspired and energized by this friendly, hardworking, and determined community of businesses.

Meet the EBA Board of Directors - Tanya Ruiz

Tanya Ruiz

Interim Manager,
West Ward Community Initiative

1. How long have you served on the EBA Board of Directors? Since May of this year.

2. Why did you join the board? As downtown Easton is booming, I felt that it's also important to represent West Ward businesses. There are many different types of great businesses just a few blocks away from downtown. I hope to continue making connections and bring more business owners onboard by making them aware that the EBA is there to support them.

3. Why do you think a business owner should join the board? Being a small business owner is hard. The EBA provides a space for like-minded business owners who can address common challenges and opportunities while also being in support of one another. Working together can create even more positive energy for our city.

4. What is the thing you like most about being part of Easton’s business community? I can't pick just one! I love that Easton's business community is just that, a community. You commonly see businesses here supporting others instead of being in competition. I also love the diversity of the businesses here. It's something really special.

October enewsletter

The EBA October enewsletter is out! Read it online here:
https://mailchi.mp/cc6367aee96c/easton-business-association-october-enewsletter

Meet the EBA Board of Directors - Mark Haldaman

Mark Haldaman

VP Commercial Lending for Embassy Bank & EBA Board President

1. How long have you served on the EBA Board of Directors? 4 years

2. Why did you join the board? Easton has had a wonderful resurgence over the last few decades. I think a strong business community was an important part of that and wanted to be a part of it.

3. Why do you think a business owner should join the board? The EBA gives volunteers the ability to build what they want from it. Since we are fully volunteer operated, any good idea can quickly become the next big project.

4. What is the thing you like most about being part of Easton’s business community? Easton businesses band together in a way I haven’t seen elsewhere. They don’t view other businesses as competition but as friends and are very willing to work together.

Meet the EBA Board of Directors - Terry Price-Gangaware

Terry Price-Gangaware

Marketing Consultant with 7 Mountains Media and co-owner of Third St. Salon in Downtown Easton

1. How long have you served on the EBA Board of Directors? I have been involved for 5 years.

2. Why did you join the board? It was time to give back to my community. I'm an Easton native and have lived in the downtown for over 40 years.

3. Why do you think a business owner should join the board? Activity breeds creativity! Ideas for meeting challenges needs communication and participation. We are a community that wants your support so we can support you.

4. What is the thing you like most about being part of Easton’s business community? The many relationships that are made and new relationships that are waiting to be made.

Meet the EBA Board of Directors - Dr. Dave Moghadam

Dr. Dave Moghadam

Owner of College Hill Dental Group

1. How long have you served on the EBA Board of Directors? 2 years

2. Why did you join the board? The first annual Scarecrow Event caught my eye and I thought it would be great to get involved on a higher level to connect and work together with other business owners in the community.

3. Why do you think a business owner should join the board? To connect on a higher level with other business owners in the area and to be able to give back and make an impact on the local community.

4. What is the thing you like most about being part of Easton’s business community? Easton has an amazing business community that is a unique mix of tried and true long established business with rich histories and young and vibrant businesses with passionate visions.

Meet the EBA Board of Directors - Lynn Schoof

Lynn Schoof

Communications Manager, Via of the Lehigh valley

1. How long have you served on the EBA Board of Directors? ​Since Nov. 2021

2. Why did you join the board? ​At the time, working, living, and hanging out in Easton, I know how much the local businesses have attributed to the success of the city, as a whole. I wanted to, in a small way, find another way to support the business community within Easton. The EBA was the perfect fit.

3. Why do you think a business owner should join the board? ​I think businesses should join or get involved as a way to talk to other business owners about successes, opportunities, and the issues that surround the local business community. As one business, you may not have the influence or power to deal with a large issue. But, together, the business community does have the power to deal with those large issues, especially as we see Easton continue to grow in the coming years.

4. What is the thing you like most about being part of Easton’s business community? ​That many business owners get involved and are invested in Easton. When there is an opportunity to support one another, they often do so because it's the kind thing to do and not for any other reason.

Meet the EBA Board of Directors - Valarie Simmons

Valarie Simmons

Owner & Stylist, Bodacious Hair & Body

1. How long have you served on the EBA Board of Directors? I have served on the board about a year and a half & I have been an active member of the EBA for about 6 years on & off.

2. Why did you join the board? I decided to become part of the board to help revive EBA after the time off from quarantine. Life was crazy for all of us for a bit & EBA was sort of put on the back burner as we all scrambled to recover or reinvent our businesses. Eventhough life is always busy, I decided to carve out a little time for this organization because, as a small business owner, I realize the importance of community support.

3. Why do you think a business owner should join the board? EBA is a completely free organization run by volunteers. If you have a business in Easton, you are already a member! Being on the board is a great opportunity for business owners for a few reasons:

- As a salon owner, it was a priority for me to be sure that my industry could be more involved in Easton events. Restaurant Week is obviously very industry specific, but the Scarecrow Event & Snowman Scavenger Hunt are two examples of events that promote all types of business while including the community in something fun. Being involved in the planning of these events have been a way to create more social media buzz for us & therefore help in growing our clientele.

- Businesses need to help each other through new and uncharted situations now, more than ever. I know I was super grateful for the support of other salon and personal care businesses when all new covid restrictions were put into place. Getting advice and bouncing ideas off one another was beyond helpful & that is what EBA is all about.

- If being on the board is not your thing, even participating as an active member & coming to the monthly mixers is not only fun, but helps to develop a network of local folks that can be helpful in a myriad of ways.

4. What is the thing you like most about being part of Easton’s business community? It's always been a priority of mine to be involved in local community events, and EBA is the perfect way for me to do that. It is definitely my favorite part of EBA (and about Easton, as a city). There is always something going on here, and being able to contribute ideas and work together to make these things happen is awesome. I always say that Bodacious is a concierge service salon, we not only have all the services to make everyone beautiful, but we recommend all the great places to go, what is coming soon, and of course the events & festivals going on.

Meet the EBA Board of Directors - Kim Kmetz

Kim Kmetz, Manager

Easton Main Street Initiative

1. How long have you served on the EBA Board of Directors? I have served on and off for the last 16+ years, but my most recent stint began in January of 2021.

2. Why did you join the board? I was off the board for several years and really missed Main Street's connection to the larger Easton business community that we once had. I see great value in the collaboration among the many area groups and organizations that support our local businesses. I feel my involvement is valuable to the EBA and that EBA has much to offer our Main Street businesses. Communication and coordination between the two programs is vital to ongoing collaboration and mutual support.

3. Why do you think a business owner should join the board?

Business owners are highly motivated and innovative people as a whole. EBA could do even more for the business community if those great minds and creative energies came together to share ideas and develop programs that supported business promotion and growth in Easton.

4. What is the thing you like most about being part of Easton’s business community?

I think I was born to be a connector. It's in my DNA! I love meeting business owners, getting to understand their needs and plans for growth and then connecting them to other business owners and resources within the community that helps them to blossom and thrive.