Jaime Marie Whalen
Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff
(610) 266-6622
jwhalen@lehighvalley.org

Ms. Whalen is responsible for managing support services and the finance group at LVEDC, which includes staffing to several economic development organizations that provide access to credit and incentives available through the economic development community. She is also responsible for managing human resources, information systems, and financial functions including accounting, audit, corporate finance and investor relations as well as providing assistance with corporate strategy. Ms. Whalen first joined LVEDC in 2013 as Finance Administrator and later served as Director of Regional Finance Programs, where she was responsible for executing a business development plan for the organization’s regional financing programs, as well as leading administrative services to economic development financing organizations and providing senior relationship management services to related clients of the finance department. Prior to joining LVEDC, she served as an economic development analyst in the Northampton County community and economic development department and served as legislative staff in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for 12 years. Ms. Whalen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Bloomsburg University.

Kristin Cahayla-Hoffman
Vice President, Business Development and Attraction
(610) 266-2217
kcahayla@lehighvalley.org

Ms. Cahayla-Hoffman leads LVEDC’s business attraction, expansion, and retention initiatives. This includes implementing strategic marketing campaigns to attract companies from targeted industry sectors to Lehigh Valley, and reaching out to existing companies to understand their successes and challenges and support them in staying and growing here. She came to LVEDC in 2022 after more than a decade of experience in corporate real estate at Air Products. She also worked as a financial analyst at Air Products and an economic support analyst at Mack Trucks. She is a graduate of Muhlenberg College and has an MBA from Lehigh University. She is a member of the International Asset Management Council (IAMC), a leading industrial real estate trade association.

Karianne Gelinas
Vice President, Regional Partnerships and Talent Strategies
(610) 266-2236
kgelinas@lehighvalley.org

Ms. Gelinas leads LVEDC’s regional talent strategies coalition and directs initiatives that fortify Lehigh Valley’s talent pipeline. She is responsible for building and strengthening regional partnerships, including the Education and Talent Supply Council and the coalition driving the Made Possible in Lehigh Valley marketing initiative, among others. She previously worked at Lehigh Carbon Community College, most recently as Assistant Director of Literacy and Job Training. Ms. Gelinas has a Master in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science from Vassar College.

Nicole Radzievich Mertz
Vice President, Marketing, Communications and Research
(610) 266-7609
nmertz@lehighvalley.org

Ms. Radzievich Mertz is responsible for tracking economic “vital signs,” completing research projects, and analyzing data and market intelligence to gain insights into the regional economy. Prior to coming to the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. in 2020, she spent two decades in journalism and most recently wrote for The Morning Call in Allentown where she covered local development issues, city government and national politics. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University with degrees in Journalism and Political Science and completed a media studies program at The University of Manchester, U.K.

George Lewis
Special Assistant to the President & CEO
(610) 266-6852
glewis@lehighvalley.org

Mr. Lewis serves as a senior advisor to the President & CEO, supporting LVEDC’s objectives for business attraction, talent strategies, and marketing economic assets. He joined LVEDC in 2017 as Director of Research and Analysis, leading projects that broadened general knowledge about the Lehigh Valley’s economy, labor market and demographics. He also served as Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Research. He is a seasoned professional with 30 years of strategic planning and corporate communications experience at PPL Corp. and Talen Energy, having served as Director of Corporate Communications for both companies. He began his career as a journalist and editor at a central Pennsylvania newspaper. Mr. Lewis has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Penn State University.

Lori Betters
Director, Budget & Administration
(610) 266-2225
lbetters@lehighvalley.org

Ms. Betters is responsible for general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, benefits coordination, human resources-related duties for LVEDC and works closely with senior management in supporting and executing human resources strategy, in addition to managing LVEDC’s annual audit, and other essential duties. Ms. Betters also assists with the development and implementation of the organization’s policies and procedures. Prior to LVEDC, Betters spent 18 years at Community Services for Children, including nine years as payroll manager, as well as providing an integral role for the overall accounting operations, ensuring reliable and timely results. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.

Doug Warfel
Director, Attraction and Lending
(610) 266-7535
dwarfel@lehighvalley.org

Mr. Warfel demonstrates the value of the economic assets of the Lehigh Valley to prospect companies and also in-market companies that have displayed an interest in making an investment in the region, and assists with LVEDC’s lead generation effort by providing market knowledge and industry expertise in recruitment target sectors. Mr. Warfel previously worked as a commercial loan officer for ESSA Bank & Trust, as well as a branch manager and residential loan officer at First Star Bank. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Communication Studies from West Virginia University.

Jennifer Weighknecht
Director, Economic Development Finance
(610) 266-6851
jweighknecht@lehighvalley.org

Ms. Weighknecht is responsible for coordinating the Lehigh Valley Lending Network and serves as the staff liaison for the Lehigh Valley Economic Investment Corporation. She also works as an underwriter and portfolio manager for the various state and federal loan programs administered by LVEDC and assists in the processing of grants for the organization. Ms. Weighknecht has more than 20 years of banking experience, having previously worked as a senior loan documentation specialist with Team Capital Bank and as small business lending department manager with Lafayette Ambassador Bank. A life-long Lehigh Valley resident, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Muhlenberg College.

Jarrett Witt
Director, Business Development
(610) 266-0523
jwitt@lehighvalley.org

With nearly a decade of experience in economic development, Mr. Witt directs prospects who are interested in locating or expanding their operations in the Lehigh Valley by assisting them with site selection, the acquisition of incentives, supplying them with demographic and economic data, and connecting them with various public and private resources. Mr. Witt earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography –Environmental Planning from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Frank Alvarado
Talent Strategies Manager
(610) 266-2227
falvarado@lehighvalley.org

Mr. Alvarado is responsible for providing support to LVEDC’s Education and Talent Supply coalition and initiatives, which have strengthened the Lehigh Valley’s talent pipeline. He has experience in sales and customer service support and served as an LVEDC intern focusing on prospecting for business outreach. Mr. Alvarado earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from DeSales University and a Master of Business Administration from Fitchburg State University.

Glenn Koehler
Digital Marketing Manager
(610) 266-6633
gkoehler@lehighvalley.org

Mr. Koehler utilizes LVEDC’s digital marketing platforms to help better execute on the organization’s mission to market the economic assets of the region. He is responsible for developing and executing digital media plans, engaging audiences with creative content, and tracking performance of marketing programs. He also manages content and design of LVEDC’s websites, oversees production and placement of digital marketing, and manages LVEDC’s social media outlets. Mr. Koehler previously worked for seven years at the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem. He has an Associate of Applied Science degree in marketing from Northampton Community College.

Stephanie Wean
Program Manager
(610) 266-2218
swean@lehighvalley.org

Ms. Wean manages the administration of the Lehigh and Northampton County Industrial Development Authorities, Lehigh Valley Economic Investment Corporation, Lehigh Valley Lending Network, Lehigh Valley Partnership and the LVEDC Board of Directors. She manages the Keystone Opportunity Zone and U.S. Foreign Trade Zone for the Lehigh Valley region. In addition, Ms. Wean is responsible for event planning and sponsorships. Prior to joining LVEDC in 2014, Ms. Wean worked in the community banking industry for 19 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Diane Milia
Executive Assistant
(610) 266-6775
dmilia@lehighvalley.org

Ms. Milia manages administrative duties for LVEDC and serves as an executive assistant to the President and CEO and executive staff. She also provides support to investor relations and business outreach in addition to customer service and event support. Ms. Milia also serves as coordinator of the organization’s Wellness Program. Before joining the organization, she worked for 14 years at Community Services for Children, including eight years as a quality assurance program manager. A graduate of Northampton Community College, she also previously spent 18 years as a program director at St. Paul’s Child Care Center in Catasauqua.