Our Team
Our Dedicated Officers
All staff at the Community Center are volunteers, we appreciate their dedication to the program keeping us operating and creating a vision for the future.
Cathy Besser
President
Cathy Besser, owner of Academy Sports Center, a family-owned business since 1951. She is,Treasurer of the Mount Carmel Historical Society, Trustee at the First United Methodist Church, along with various other organizations.
Jake Betz
Secretary
Jake Betz is director of the Mother Maria Kaupas Center, a ministry of Divine Redeemer Church. He is retired from a 40-year career as a reporter and editor at The News-Item, a daily newspaper based in Shamokin.
Judy Polites
Treasurer
Judy is “the brains of the operation.” As the treasurer and an Mt. Carmel local she understands the community’s needs financially, socially, and culturally.
Al Riedel
Architect
Al Riedel, raised in Kulpmont is an architectural illustrator and graphic/environmental designer. He has led with creativity throughout his long and successful career designing, ideating, and illustrating for all kinds of public and private structures.
Our Dedicated Board Of Directors
Amy Watkins
Board Member
Amy was born, raised and still resides in Mount Carmel. She is the proud mother of four Mount Carmel High School graduates and continues to be involved in the school district as a first grade teacher.
Charmange Cimino
Board Member
Charmange Cimino, a lifelong resident of Mount Carmel, is a retired LPN and certified coding specialist. She is a former member of Mount Carmel Borough Council and is president and a life member of Clover Hose Ladies Auxiliary.
Maryrose McCarthy
Board Member
Maryrose McCarthy has been working in human services for the majority of her career and currently serves as the Chief Clerk with the County of Northumberland. She also is the proud parent and grandparent of two beautiful grandchildren
Justin Skavery
Board Member
Life-long resident of Mount Carmel. Graduated from the Mount Carmel Area School District in 2013, received a Bachelors Degree in History and Anthropology from Susquehanna University in 2017, and received a Masters Degree in Public History from Shippensburg University in 2018. Worked at the Northumberland County Department of Economic Development & Planning since 2017. Was promoted to Department Director in 2019. Avid runner that regularly participates in long distance races.
