Centre County, PA - After a decade at the helm of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC), Vern Squier is stepping down as the President/CEO of the county-wide organization that works with its 700+ members across business, educational, non-profit, and governmental sectors to improve the economy in Centre County for all businesses, employees, and residents.
“This organization routinely finds itself at the intersection of all sorts of interesting topics that have far-reaching impacts in terms of miles, years, dollars, and lives affected,” acknowledged Squier. “I have enjoyed the privilege of working on these complex issues on behalf of our community for the past ten years.”
"I want to thank you, the members of the CBICC for your support of the organization and for what you do for our regional economy," continued Squier. "I also want to thank the Board of Directors for their service and support through the years. It is most difficult to try and adequately thank the staff of the CBICC for their untiring service and commitment. I value all of the fantastic collaborative relationships that were formed in pursuit of making our economy better. It’s been great. Keep moving forward!"
In September, CBICC Board Members in attendance at the CBICC State of the County Luncheon presented Squier with a framed collage that commemorated a few of these community issues.
“This organization routinely finds itself at the intersection of all sorts of interesting topics that have far-reaching impacts in terms of miles, years, dollars, and lives affected,” acknowledged Squier. “I have enjoyed the privilege of working on these complex issues on behalf of our community for the past ten years.”
"I want to thank you, the members of the CBICC for your support of the organization and for what you do for our regional economy," continued Squier. "I also want to thank the Board of Directors for their service and support through the years. It is most difficult to try and adequately thank the staff of the CBICC for their untiring service and commitment. I value all of the fantastic collaborative relationships that were formed in pursuit of making our economy better. It’s been great. Keep moving forward!"
In September, CBICC Board Members in attendance at the CBICC State of the County Luncheon presented Squier with a framed collage that commemorated a few of these community issues.
“Vern’s leadership and accomplishments have been extremely impactful to the CBICC, the community, and beyond,” said John Sepp, CBICC Board Chair and President of PennTerra Engineering.
At the September 21st meeting of the Centre County Commissioners, Squier was presented with Proclamation 29. Among other accolades, the proclamation commended Squier as "an exceptional leader and committed public servant.”
At the September 21st meeting of the Centre County Commissioners, Squier was presented with Proclamation 29. Among other accolades, the proclamation commended Squier as "an exceptional leader and committed public servant.”
On September 23rd, US Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson rose to the floor of the US House of Representatives to formally enter remarks into the Congressional record.
“Vern, I thank you for your service and dedication to Centre County,” Rep. Thompson stated, adding that under Squier, the CBICC has become “the go-to organization for businesses in our community and the greater Centre County region.”
“Vern, I thank you for your service and dedication to Centre County,” Rep. Thompson stated, adding that under Squier, the CBICC has become “the go-to organization for businesses in our community and the greater Centre County region.”
Squier’s tenure with the CBICC spanned the initial outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the community’s response through joint taskforce of community and Penn State University, CentreStrong.org, and a retooling of staff resources to allow for rapid response on all communications to members and the community.
Squier’s initial days with the CBICC in 2011 were also during a time of intense community turmoil as Penn State’s headlines cast a long economic shadow. The “Together We Are One” publicity campaign helped buoy morale on both sides of College Avenue and across Centre County. Then, like today, the community’s economic future is intertwined.
Squier also oversaw various community initiatives such as DRIVEforward (a transportation program that resulted in roughly $35 million in federal investment for the upgrade of the I-99/I-80 interchange, celebrated the completion of the Potters Mills Gap project on Route 322, and more).
In 2018, the CentreREADYTM workforce program launched in all five public school districts and two technical institutes; to date, over 320 graduates have earned their CentreREADYTM designations, crossed their graduation stages in bright green honor cords, and bring to their future employer six core soft skills that will make them a top-tier job candidate
In collaboration with The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), Happy Valley Agventures was launched in 2019 to highlight the area’s rich agriculture sector and also to invite both locals and visitors to experience an “agventure.”
On September 2, the HVAB and CBICC are once again teaming up – and working with eight other Centre County business organizations – to launch HappyValleyTalent.com, a one-stop website for student-athletes and businesses to connect in private and then publicize their collaborations on the public calendar section of the website for fans to view.
Beyond these collaborative, community-focused programs, Squier also led the CBICC’s efforts to recruit additional businesses to the area. Economic development efforts like businesses recruitment can result in more jobs, population growth – with potentially more federal dollars and voting power, and tax revenue growth for government services and/or schools.
“It’s important that Centre County, Pennsylvania got in the arena with Amazon, Sierra Nevada, Nestle, and others that we cannot name,” noted Squier. “You miss 100% of the swings you don’t take. This community is an attractive destination for business owners and for employees’ work-life balance; we should take advantage of our at bat opportunities.”
Homegrown business retention and expansion is another important component of economic development. Again leveraging the power of community partnerships, KCF Technologies and Sensor Networks were each able to flourish locally thanks in part to the support and investment of local and county government entities.
“It’s important that Centre County, Pennsylvania got in the arena with Amazon, Sierra Nevada, Nestle, and others that we cannot name,” noted Squier. “You miss 100% of the swings you don’t take. This community is an attractive destination for business owners and for employees’ work-life balance; we should take advantage of our at bat opportunities.”
Homegrown business retention and expansion is another important component of economic development. Again leveraging the power of community partnerships, KCF Technologies and Sensor Networks were each able to flourish locally thanks in part to the support and investment of local and county government entities.
“The Centre County Economic Development Partnership (CCEDP) investors really understand the ripple effects that can be felt throughout the community for years to come,” explained Squier. “Our local investors are able to not only retain homegrown businesses, but with a well-timed cash infusion, these investors are actually catapulting businesses to reach new heights. Sometimes this manifests in the form of new machinery, adding another shift to keep in-demand operations running longer, or, ideally, adding more employees.”
Collaborating with Penn State can also yield a multitude of opportunities for the community.
“Breaking ground at Morgan Advanced Materials’ site was memorable because it demonstrated what can happen when Penn State – and their engineering students’ prowess – are at the table. It also felt like the formalization of ‘Materials Valley,’ our very own niche economy,” Squier continued. “Signing the Memorandum of Agreement with Dr. Eric Barron was another example in the power of collaboration. His first speech to the CBICC members mentioned prioritizing bringing intellectual property off campus and into the private sector, the MOA cemented that idea, and now the community and campus are in alignment when Morgan Advanced Materials comes calling, for example, during the Venture IP Fair, and with most things involving Innovation Park, generally speaking.”
“Breaking ground at Morgan Advanced Materials’ site was memorable because it demonstrated what can happen when Penn State – and their engineering students’ prowess – are at the table. It also felt like the formalization of ‘Materials Valley,’ our very own niche economy,” Squier continued. “Signing the Memorandum of Agreement with Dr. Eric Barron was another example in the power of collaboration. His first speech to the CBICC members mentioned prioritizing bringing intellectual property off campus and into the private sector, the MOA cemented that idea, and now the community and campus are in alignment when Morgan Advanced Materials comes calling, for example, during the Venture IP Fair, and with most things involving Innovation Park, generally speaking.”
Squier’s last official day in the office will be Friday, October 8. He has assisted with the leadership transition and will continue to make himself available as needed.
On Monday, October 11, Greg Scott will assume the President/CEO role with the CBICC.
On Monday, October 11, Greg Scott will assume the President/CEO role with the CBICC.
