Service to Philanthropy Award
The Service to Philanthropy Award recognizes a professional advisor that understands and appreciates the importance of philanthropy in the community, the diverse advantages of charitable giving for his clients, and the value of philanthropy in estate, retirement, and wealth management planning. The Community Foundation honors outstanding professional advisors with this prestigious award on a periodic basis.
2024
Judith A. Harris, Esq. | Lifetime Service to Philanthropy Award
he 2024 Board of Associated (BOA) meeting at the Lehigh Country Club was the perfect occasion for the Community Foundation to present its prestigious philanthropy awards. LVCF President and CEO Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP® announced that the Lifetime Service to Philanthropy Award was going to Judith A. Harris, Esq. for her exceptional career of service and dedication.
The Community Foundation has collaborated with Judy on numerous occasions to help clients achieve their charitable goals, including our mutual work with the trustees of the Century Fund. Judy has been instrumental in establishing six endowment funds at LVCF, including the George T. Walker Charitable Fund, our largest endowed fund valued at nearly $10 million,” Erika explained. “Judy’s recognition of the Foundation’s role and her commitment to her clients have significantly impacted philanthropy in the community. The LVCF staff and board express deep appreciation for Judy’s contributions, the importance of her work, and the lasting impact of her dedication.”
Dolores A. Laputka, Esq., representing Norris McLaughlin, LC., which sponsored the meeting, expressed her admiration for her colleague. “I am thrilled to present this award to Judy Harris, my colleague for over 20 years,” she noted. “Judy, born and raised in the Lehigh Valley, returned home after earning her LL.M. in Taxation from Villanova University, her J.D. from Washington College of Law, and her A.B. from Bryn Mawr College, and also spending time in Moscow. Her extensive community focus includes leading the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival as President of the Board of Trustees, involvement with the Allentown Symphony Association, and the Lehigh County Agricultural Society. Judy’s unwavering commitment to philanthropy in the Lehigh Valley has earned her many accolades. Her husband, Jack Mydlo, Chairman of Urology at Temple University, has been a steadfast supporter. Judy’s dedication to philanthropy and community service makes her a most deserving recipient of this award.”
Judy then took to the podium and delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing her gratitude and admiration for the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and the dedicated individuals who have contributed to its success. She began by thanking Dolores and acknowledging the Foundation’s role in improving lives in the Lehigh Valley, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of professional advisors and business leaders.
Harris shared her admiration for the Century Fund and lauded the trustees, including Joan, David, Lee, Don in attendance, and Pastor Bob and the late Trustees Alice Anne Miller, Dick Hummel, Rev. Dr. Grant Harrity, and Jack Leh. She also paid tribute to the late Attorney Michael Egan, Donald Miller’s lawyer, who wrote the Century Fund Trust and served as a mentor to many, including herself. Harris recognized Lisa Curran, the longtime Executive Director of The Century Fund, for her dynamic leadership.
She highlighted the contributions of John Zayaitz, CPA, and Dianne Pagano Manges, who played crucial roles in the Century Fund’s operations and its eventual sunset after 36 years. Harris also thanked her law firm, Norris McLaughlin, for its ongoing support of client philanthropy and community involvement.
Harris then shared her “5 Current Truths regarding Philanthropy in our Lehigh Valley,” beginning with her appreciation for the region’s diversity and richness, as expressed by Donald Miller in the book “Leaders of Lehigh.” She acknowledged the presence of many local visionaries committed to improving the quality of life in the Valley, highlighting Don Miller’s legacy.
She praised the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation for its effectiveness in realizing charitable wishes, recounting her first experience with the Foundation 20 years ago. This involved collaborating with Dave Osborn to help a client with genuine charitable intentions, showcasing the Foundation’s ability to meet community needs.
Harris emphasized the professional talent and tradition of collaboration in the Lehigh Valley, which enables the achievement of synergies and the fulfillment of clients’ charitable goals. She concluded by acknowledging the gathering as a testament to this collaborative spirit, underscoring the potential to improve lives through joint efforts.
2020
Brian T. Regan, Regan, Levin, Bloss, Brown & Savchak, P.C.
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation honored Brian T. Regan in 2022 with the Service to Philanthropy Award during its virtual Board of Associates meeting. The award recognizes a professional advisor that understands and appreciates the importance of philanthropy in the community, the diverse advantages of charitable giving for his clients, and the value of philanthropy in estate, retirement, and wealth management planning.
“It is a pleasure to recognize our colleague and good friend, Brian Regan, with the 2020 Service to Philanthropy Award,” said Bernie Story, LVCF President and CEO. “We present the award for his recognition of the value that the Foundation brings to community and for establishing a significant, permanent, and impactful charitable fund as chair of the board of directors of Saucon Insurance Company which provides important support of diverse community needs in the Bethlehem Area. We thank you RLB and Saucon Insurance Company for sponsoring this Award.”
Brian T. Regan is the director of tax services for Regan, Levin, Bloss, Brown & Savchak, P.C. He is a recognized expert in the areas of income tax compliance, planning, and accounting matters related to closely held businesses with a focus on several industries, including banking, food manufacturing, oil and gas drilling, and real estate development. Brian is a member of PICPA, AICPA, and the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley, the Pennsylvania Institute’s Multistate Tax Committee, He is a board member at ESSA Bank & Trust, Saucon Mutual Insurance Company and Northampton County Meals on Wheels…and is involved in many other civic and community organizations.
2018
Marilee Falco, Agili
The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation honored Marilee Falco with its 2018 Service to Philanthropy Award. Falco is a principal, financial strategist, at Agili, a financial services firm, based in Richmond, Va., with offices in Bethlehem, Pa. The award was presented at a reception for professional advisors at Lehigh Country Club on Thursday, June 21. See the event photos on LVCF’s Flickr page
Each year, LVCF honors a professional advisor with the Service to Philanthropy Award. This award recognizes professional advisors who inspire philanthropy in the community and understands the diverse advantages of charitable giving for their clients, and the value of philanthropy in estate, retirement, and wealth management planning. Recipients of this award are chosen because they have matched their clients to the Foundation for philanthropic purposes.
As a financial strategist at Agili, Falco is responsible for client financial strategy and counsel, comprehensive financial planning and investment management. Before joining the firm, Falco was a vice president and financial advisor at Sovereign Bank. She previously worked at Morgan Stanley for 15 years.
Falco currently serves as president of Women United, an affinity group of the Greater Lehigh Valley United Way. During the Community Foundation’s 50th anniversary year in 2017, Women United partnered with the Foundation to raise awareness of human trafficking in the Lehigh Valley. She also serves as treasurer for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Chamber Foundation Board; president of the Women’s Giving Circle of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation; and is a board member of the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley.
“Marilee’s involvement in the community is exemplary,” said Bernie Story, president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “She is a great friend to the Community Foundation. We appreciate our partnership and her active role in working to help improve the quality of life in the Lehigh Valley.”
A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and Chartered Financial Consultant, Falco was a recipient of the Lehigh Valley Business “Women of Influence” Award, 2014. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Muhlenberg College.
2017
Bruce A. Palmer, CPA, Buckno Lisicky & Company
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation honored Bruce A. Palmer, CPA with the 2017 Service to Philanthropy Award. Palmer was the Managing Shareholder of the Bethlehem office of Buckno Lisicky & Company. He is a former member of the LVCF Board of Governors.
The award was presented to Palmer by Dolores Laputka, Esq., of Norris McLaughlin and Marcus P.A., which was the Award Sponsor. Laputka, a recipient of the award in 2007, is the Chair of LVCF’s Professional Advisors Council and a strong supporter of the Foundation. See the photos from the event on LVCF’s Flicker page.
“Bruce is honored as the 2017 Service to Philanthropy Award for many reasons,” said Laputka. “He has connected LVCF to his clients, to his colleagues, and to the many organizations in which he is involved. Congratulations Bruce, and thank you for your many years of service to the Lehigh Valley.”
Palmer has deep roots in the Lehigh Valley. His involvement in the Lehigh Valley community is extensive. In addition to being a member of the LVCF Board of Governors, Palmer is a past president of the Bethlehem Rotary Club; Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Northampton Community College; President of the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem; past Chairman of the Board at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites; and Board member of Moravian Village of Bethlehem.
Palmer has been recognized as a 2017 Northampton Community College 50th Anniversary 50 Programs & Fields honoree; 2015 Historic Bethlehem Holiday Dinner & Auction – Individual Honoree; and the 2009 United Way Campaign Rising Star Award.
A graduate of Bangor Area High School, Bruce received an Associate’s degree in accounting from Northampton Community College and a B.S. degree in business with a concentration in accounting from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
2016
Geoffrey Boyer, CFP
Boyer Financial Group
2015
J. Marshall Wolff
Kressler, Wolff & Miller
2014
Matthew Sorrentino, Esq.
Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A.
Robert G. Tallman, Esq. (posthumously)
2012
Alfred E. Douglass, IV
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management – Douglass Group
2008
Ellen Kraft, Esq.
Attorney At Law
2007
Dolores Laputka, Esq.
Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A.
2006
David Osborn, CLU, ChCF
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management – Osborn Group
2005
Jeffrey T. Bogert
Magellan Financial, Inc.
Judith A. Harris, Esq.
Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A.
2004
Paul Florenz, Esq.*
Kolb, Vasiliadis & Florenz
Littner, Deshler and Littner
2003
Robert Moffett, Esq.
Attorney At Law
2005
Jeffrey T. Bogert
Magellan Financial, Inc.
Judith A. Harris, Esq.
Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A.
2004
Paul Florenz, Esq.*
Kolb, Vasiliadis & Florenz, Littner, Deshler and Littner
2003
Robert Moffett, Esq.
Attorney At Law
*deceased
Note: Companies listed are those at which the honoree worked at the time.
ASK ERIKA | Ask me how the Community Foundation can help you and your clients create a lasting legacy and make a difference in the community…
Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®
President and CEO
840 West Hamilton Street
Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18101
610 351-5353, Ext. 13
erika@lvcfoundation.org