Millvale Community Development Corp. gets new leadership
The Millvale Community Development Corp., a nonprofit dedicated to stabilizing and revitalizing the borough, held its annual elections Jan. 15.
After serving as president for six years, Tina Walker accepted a board position instead of running again for president. Members elected Sarah Kremer to fill the seat.
“There was a clear opportunity to have someone who was willing and qualified to take on the responsibility as the president who has the same passionate commitment and transformational vision for the future generation of Millvale as I do,” Walker said.
Walker said she will continue to advocate to reopen Millvale Studios — a gallery, studios and event space — that closed following a summer fire.
Denise Rudar also stepped down as treasurer.
“They did a wonderful job getting a lot of big projects off the ground, and I'm excited to continue the work that they've started,” Kremer, 30, said. “I'm glad that Tina Walker and Denise Rudar will remain on the board of directors for the MCDC so we can continue to benefit from their expertise as we proceed in our mission to improve the Millvale community.”
Kremer served two terms on the corporation's board and one as secretary. She assisted with the organization's annual Millvale Brew Festival as co-chair of last year's promotion and organization committee.
Furthermore, she helped plan the inaugural Millvale Music Festival.
Kremer is co-owner and business partner of The River's Edge, an online radio station streaming local, original music and hosting podcasts. She met station founder Brian Crawford at a 2013 corporation event.
A South Bend, Ind., native, Kremer moved to Millvale after earning a bachelor's in business administration from Truman State University.
“I like how it's kind of a small town in a big city,” she said regarding Millvale. “Everybody knows everybody. We all kind of work together. It's a nice community feeling. It's like a family.”
Kremer said she hopes to learn the results of the borough's community needs assessment and how the corporation can help fulfill residents' wishes.
“Well, we do live in a food desert, so that's something that I would like to work on. I think the MCDC as a whole would like to see that happen. We would like to maybe get a playground for some kids. I know we have a little one, but maybe like one with a basketball court for some of the older kids.”
Jamie Hahn is returning as vice president. A licensed funeral director for the past 18 years, she opened Hahn Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. locally in 2012. She is co-chairwoman of the Business Association of Millvale — another one of the corporation's standing councils.
Yetter's Candies owner Jeff Carr runs the candy and ice cream shop his grandparents opened in 1950. In 1996, he relocated to San Diego, where he worked in the bio-medical and hospitality industries. He returned to Millvale in 2014 to take over the family business. He is serving as secretary, a role Tricia Sorg previously held.
Walker counts the following as her tenure's highlights: the purchasing of Millvale Studios, Tazza D'Oro and Ton Pottery properties, significantly increasing Millvale Harvest Moon Wine Festival and Millvale Brew Festival attendance and co-founding the Millvale EcoDistrict Plan.
“The accomplishments achieved have been as a result of many hearts and hands being involved in the rebuilding of Millvale — for the most part volunteers.”
Walker will serve on the board alongside her husband, Tom.
Erica Cebzanov is a Tribune-Review contributor.
