5 days ago
Newsmakers for June 1
OPPORTUNITY HOUSE
Opportunity House has announced the appointment of Adrian Perez-Roman as the new program director of S.M.I.L.E. — Skills to Master Independent Living and Empowerment.
Adrian Perez-Roman (Courtesy Opportunity House)
A Reading native, Perez-Roman brings a personal connection to the community he now serves. Raised in the Oakbrook neighborhood after being born in Puerto Rico, Perez-Roman has witnessed firsthand the challenges facing the city, particularly homelessness, addiction, and mental health struggles. These experiences have fueled his passion for community service and his commitment to creating pathways for healing and hope.
A graduate of Kutztown University, he holds a bachelor's degree in sociology. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Perez-Roman offers a bridge between cultures and communities, ensuring that language is never a barrier to the support people need.
As the S.M.I.L.E program director, Perez-Roman's goals are to lead with compassion.
Perez-Roman lives in Reading with his fiancée and their four children. He also serves as the current Berks County Poet Laureate, a role that reflects his creative spirit and passion for storytelling. Perez-Roman uses poetry to inspire healing and empowerment — tools he plans to bring into his work with S.M.I.L.E.
CONCERN
CONCERN has announced the addition of two new members of its senior leadership team. Wendy Wait has been named the new chief financial officer; while Michele Gutshall has been named director of quality assurance.
Wendy Wait (Courtesy CONCERN)
Wait is an accomplished financial executive with more than 35 years of experience specializing in nonprofit leadership in all aspects of the behavioral health and human services field that directly correlates to the services CONCERN provides. She has experience in change management related to the implementation of financial systems, software, and payroll along with experience with electronic health records and specifically the organization's new software Netsmart. She has a proven track record working with senior leadership teams including strategic planning and collaborating with the board of directors. Wait is a graduate of Penn State. Wait is replacing Glenn Miller who is retiring as CFO, but staying on part-time to do marketing and fundraising.
Michele Gutshall (Courtesy CONCERN)
Prior to joining CONCERN, Gutshall was a chief compliance and privacy officer. She comes to the organization with a wealth of experience working in all things quality and compliance along with many years of experience in program services. She has worked in the human services field since she graduated from Juniata College. She has experience in behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, foster care, CRR, and substance abuse prevention programs. Gutshall is also certified in health care compliance and privacy and has the Open Minds Executive Leadership Certificate. Gutshall replaces the retiring Cheryl Reeling.
SUZYRAE DESIGN
Erica Caceres has joined the team of Suzy Rae Design LLC. Caceres brings a background in marketing and communications and now supports the studio's creative efforts with her skills in content strategy, multimedia storytelling, and brand communication.
Erica Caceres (Courtesy Suzy Rae Design LLC)
Before joining Suzy Rae Design, Caceras served as communication manager at Berks County Community Foundation, where she led content development across multiple platforms and managed the organization's media outreach and digital communications. Her previous experience also includes marketing roles with Naylor Association Solutions, the Pennsylvania Apartment Association, and The Yocum Institute.
A graduate of Penn State Berks with a B.A. in communication arts and sciences and a minor in professional writing, Caceras is a detail-oriented storyteller with a passion for learning and staying current with design and media trends.
BARLEY SNYDER
Barley Snyder partner Jill Sebest Welch has been named a 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient by the Manheim Township Alumni Association.
Jill Sebest Welch (Courtesy Barley Snyder)
This annual award recognizes Manheim Township High School graduates who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities. The award also serves to inspire current students, alumni and staff by highlighting the positive impact of former graduates.
A 1983 MTHS graduate, Welch distinguished herself both academically and athletically. She was a member of the National Honor Society, student council and served as class vice president, in addition to participating on the softball, field hockey and swim teams. Welch went on to attend Wittenberg University, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a minor in biology. There, she was a member of the Wittenberg College Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society and Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and a four-year softball team student athlete. Welch later earned her Juris Doctor with honors from Rutgers University School of Law, where she served as a State Constitutional Law Editor for the Rutgers Law Journal, the university's student-run state constitutional law review.
Welch is a partner in Barley Snyder's Employment Practice Group, where she counsels companies in handling workplace challenges, helps clients resolve disputes, and litigates claims and cases in all aspects of labor and employment law. Welch served as chairwoman of the firm's Employment Practice Group from 2020 to 2024 and has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer 11 times, underscoring her commitment to legal excellence and client service.
Welch currently serves as council president of the Pennsylvania Dutch Council Scouting America, having been a member of the board of directors since 2018. She has volunteered in various roles with Scout Troop 99 as both of her sons earned their Eagle awards. In addition, she has served in past roles with the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board, the Lancaster Family YMCA, the Lancaster Bar Association Employment Law Section, and as a member of the Lancaster County EDC Center for Regional Analysis advisory committee. Welch is a frequent speaker on the topics of legal ethics and employment law.
Welch, and two other 2025 award recipients will be honored at a breakfast reception on June 5. As part of the celebration, honorees will also address the 2025 graduating class during commencement rehearsal following the reception.
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