The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) Board of Directors announced Monday that it has named Lucine Sihelnik as President and CEO. In this position, Sihelnik will be responsible for leading Berks County’s premier business resource for facilitating new and existing business expansion, project funding, redevelopment, business-to-business promotion, advocacy and workforce development.
“We are thrilled to have Lucine accept this leadership role at such an important time in our community. Lucine’s history of public service, high integrity, and ability to work with a wide variety of constituencies in our community will serve her and our community well in the years ahead,” said Board Chair Jeff Rush.
Most recently, Sihelnik was appointed to a one-year term as a Berks County Commissioner after Kevin Barnhardt stepped down to accept the job as the county’s new chief operations officer. Before that, she served a full term on Reading City Council, two as Vice President, and was the first female President of Berks Agricultural Resource Network. She is a past President of the Friends of Reading Hospital and a Trustee of Alvernia University.
As co-owner of the Great American Creamery in downtown Reading with her husband, Balasios Lahaniatis, and 20 years focused on community and economic development through her consulting platform Gayatri Wellness, Sihelnik is uniquely positioned to bring the insight from a small business to the organization.
“I believe in a strong vision where Greater Reading fulfills the best version of itself; we are positioned to create a vibrant economic ecosystem where Berks becomes the best place to live, work, learn, play and grow,” said Sihelnik.
GRCA chose Sihelnik with the help of Herbein HR Consulting.
