ARTSQUEST AND PBS 39 ANNOUNCE STEELSTACKS LEADERSHIP
Iacocca and Fowler Named Honorary Co-chairs

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Kim I. Plyler (610) 332-1300, Ext. 333, kplyler@fest.org

BETHLEHEM, PA—Former Chrysler president/CEO and philanthropist Lee Iacocca and leading Lehigh Valley arts supporter Marlene O. “Linny” Fowler are the honorary co-chairs of the SteelStacks leadership team announced today by SteelStacks principals ArtsQuest and PBS 39. The leadership team, developed to provide guidance, community knowledge and perspective to the SteelStacks principals during the next phase of the SteelStacks campaign, is comprised of dynamic government, community and business leaders from throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Best known for his revitalization of the Chrysler Corp. in the 1980s, Allentown native and Lehigh University graduate Lee Iacocca has been involved in numerous philanthropic efforts over the years. In 1983, following the death of his wife, Mary, due to diabetes, he founded the Iacocca Foundation to help find a cure for the disease. He also headed and continues to remain on the board of The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, which was established in 1982 to raise money for the restoration of the two important national monuments. Other philanthropic endeavors include the Iacocca Institute at Lehigh University, which is focused on cultivating strong leaders and increasing the global competitiveness of organizations throughout the nation, and Nu Skin Enterprises’ Nourish the Children, which is dedicated to fighting child hunger around the world.

“If I've learned one thing, it's this: You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action,” said Iacocca. “Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play.”

Linny Fowler, one of the Lehigh Valley’s leading arts philanthropists, has dedicated her life to introducing people, especially children-at risk, to the arts. To this end, she has supported numerous local arts and cultural organizations, including the Allentown Art Museum, ArtsQuest, Baum School of Art, Da Vinci Science Center, Head Start of the Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Valley Child Care, Northampton Community College and Valley Youth House. Her philanthropy and hands-on advocacy are credited with having made a greater impact on the accessibility of artistic and cultural opportunities for children in the region.

Over the past three decades, Fowler has served on the boards of directors for several Lehigh-Valley based arts and cultural organizations. She has received many honors for her philanthropic efforts, including the Patron Award at the 2006 Pennsylvania Governor’s Awards for the Arts.

“At SteelStacks, thousands of children annually will have quality opportunities to learn and grow through a variety of hands-on artistic programs, educational initiatives and cutting-edge media technologies,” Fowler said. “The arts and cultural center being developed through the PBS 39-ArtsQuest partnership will play an important role in enriching the lives of our youth and developing our leaders of tomorrow.”

The SteelStacks leadership team is chaired by John Eureyecko, president of Belhaven Capital Group, and Samuel Torrence, former president of Just Born Inc. Members of the leadership team include Joseph Brake, vice president and general manager of Coca-Cola Bottling of the Lehigh Valley; Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan; Peter Danchak, President, PNC Bank, Northeast PA; David Dyson, vice president of Hampson Mowrer Kreitz Insurance; Timothy Fallon, WineSaver PRO principal; Bruce Heugel, senior vice president and CFO of B. Braun Medical; Timothy Kennedy, publisher, president & CEO of The Morning Call; Robert Kiel, senior vice president and regional director of Liberty Property Trust; and Jeffrey Kurtz, East Penn Financial Group principal.

Other leadership team members are Joseph Lennert, president of Caruso Benefits Group; John Longenderfer, president and CEO of Lutron Electronics Company Inc.; John E. McGlade, chairman, president & CEO of Air Products & Chemicals Inc.; Bethlehem City Council’s Rev. Gordon Mowrer; community volunteer Christine Perrucci; Dr. Elliot Sussman, president of Lehigh Valley Hospital & Health Network; Joseph Topper, president and CEO of Lehigh Gas; and Jack Yaissle, managing director Cornerstone Advisors. Advisors to the team are Father Daniel Gambet, president emeritus, DeSales University, and Frank Banko, owner and CEO of Atlantic Leasing and Rental Company.

“SteelStacks is a visionary project that will greatly enhance the Lehigh Valley’s reputation as a prime location for enjoying and celebrating the arts,” said Torrence. “The SteelStacks leadership team understands the importance of the arts as a catalyst for economic development, tourism and enhancing the quality of life in the region, and it is committed to ensuring the success of this project.”

Eureyecko noted the excitement over the SteelStacks project continues to build and the leadership team will play a key role in fostering community support.

“As we prepare to move into the next phase of our campaign, the efforts of the leadership team will be invaluable,” said Eureyecko, who is also a member of the PBS 39 Board of Directors. “PBS 39 and ArtsQuest would like to thank all of the talented individuals on this team for playing a prominent role in helping with the development of what will be an incredible community resource.”

For more information on SteelStacks and its leadership team, please visit www.SteelStacks.org.

About SteelStacks

SteelStacks is an innovative 21st-century town square in Bethlehem, Pa. where history, culture and the arts will intersect with technology, education and celebration. Proposed for a portion of the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. property on the city’s south side, it will feature a variety of facilities for broadcasting, musical performances, education and performing arts.

The SteelStacks vision was born out of three years of intense planning, extensive research, cultural program development and visioning by a nonprofit consortium led by ArtsQuest and PBS 39. The complex will include the Public Broadcast Center for PBS 39 and the Performing Arts Center and the adaptive re-use Events Center owned and operated by ArtsQuest. The project will also result in 20,000-square feet of renovations and 3,200-square feet of new construction at the Bethlehem-based Banana Factory community arts center owned and operated by ArtsQuest.

For more information on SteelStacks, please visit www.SteelStacks.org.

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