(Respectively) Chris Brown, Senior Vice President & Commercial Market Executive of Fulton Bank; Carolyn Stennett, Vice President Human Resources of Victaulic; and Stephanie Wean, Program Manager at LVEDC.

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) has welcomed a new member and a new officer to its Board of Directors, as well as announced the promotion of one of its staff members.

Carolyn Stennett, Vice President Human Resources at Victaulic, has joined the LVEDC Board of Directors, and board member Chris Brown, Senior Vice President & Commercial Market Executive at Fulton Bank, has stepped into the role of board treasurer.

“The Lehigh Valley has dramatically strengthened its presence and developed a skilled workforce that rivals some of the largest cities in our nation,” Stennett said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to contribute to that economic growth and presence in our region.”

Brown was appointed treasurer following the departure of Patricia Johnson from the LVEDC Board of Directors following her retirement from Lehigh University, where she worked as Vice President for Finance & Administration.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside this board comprised of a diverse group of uniquely qualified and highly-respected community and business leaders, all working toward a common goal of advancing economic development and the quality of life in Lehigh Valley,” Brown said. “I’m pleased and honored to step into the role of treasurer as we continue this important work and face the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

Additionally, Stephanie Wean has been promoted to Program Manager at LVEDC. Wean has been part of the LVEDC staff for the last eight years, and most recently held the position of Program Administrator.

Wean helps to oversee and manage projects and organizational and administrative functions for the Lehigh and Northampton County Industrial Development Authorities, Lehigh Valley Economic Investment Corporation (LVEIC), and Lehigh Valley Partnership, all which LVEDC is contracted to provide administrative services.

Wean works closely with LVEDC’s economic development finance team to support the Lehigh Valley Lending Network and other activities. She also works across departments within LVEDC in planning and coordinating events, special projects and fundraising, as well as providing administrative planning and support for the LVEDC Board of Directors. Prior to joining LVEDC in 2014, Wean worked in the community banking industry for 19 years.

The LVEDC Board of Directors brings together the talents and expertise of individuals from some of the region’s largest companies and organizations, representing a wide range of sectors and industries from the economy.

“Our Board of Directors includes representatives from the large governments of the Lehigh Valley and a high-level cross-section of private sector employers in the market, all working together toward the same shared goal of supporting economic development, creating and retaining jobs, and attracting talent in the Lehigh Valley,” said LVEDC President & CEO Don Cunningham.

Stennett leads all aspects of Victaulic’s human resources organization, including talent management, compensation and benefits, learning and development, leadership development, and the creation and execution of employee policies that support Victaulic’s strategic objectives.

Before joining Victaulic in 2015, she served as Assistant General Counsel for United Technologies Corp. She also has served as Deputy Director and General Counsel for the National Head Start Association and as Chief Operating Officer for the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services in Washington, D.C.

Stennett was appointed to fill a vacancy left by Barry Wentzel, who left the board following his retirement as Director East Region at UGI Utilities, Inc. Stennett was appointed affective July 1, and her term goes through March 2023.

Brown has more than 35 years of banking industry experience in the Lehigh Valley. He leads commercial banking across all segments within the Lehigh Valley region for Fulton Bank and serves as Sales Leader for Fulton’s SBA Team across the bank’s five-state footprint.

He joined Fulton Bank in 2016 as a Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Team Leader. Prior to joining Fulton Bank, Chris worked for PNC Bank and Meridian Bank. Brown has also served on the LVEIC Board in various capacities for more than a decade, and currently serves as President and Board Chair.

Brown has been on the LVEDC Board of Directors for the last three years. He was appointed treasurer by the board’s executive committee effective July 14.