In this episode of Tech Talk with Johnson College, Dr. Katie Pittelli welcomes Jim Wansacz, the Executive Director of the Scranton Lackawanna Human Development Agency. They discuss local partnerships and volunteer work that impact our community. For the past 50 years, SLHDA has been helping to improve our area, and the partnership with Johnson College has only strengthened that initiative- giving students real-life experience that produces life-changing results. To listen to all of the Tech Talk with Johnson College Podcast episodes and learn more visit https://johnsoncollegepodcast.com/. The podcasts are also available on iTunes and Spotify.
Jim Wansacz is a person who is motivated by challenges and problems and strives to make a difference in his community, by choosing to be part of the solution. He coaches, serve on non-profit boards and belongs to community organizations that believe in giving back to their communities.
Prior to joining Scranton Lackawanna Human Development Agency, Inc., SLHDA, Jim Wansacz spent a year consulting PA American Water on an acquisition in relation to strategic planning, human resource administration, business development, and identifying operational savings.
Jim served as Chairman of the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of County Departments. He worked as a business development specialist for Commonwealth Energy Group, where he helped small to large businesses become more energy efficient.
Previously, Mr. Wansacz served as a five-term Pennsylvania State Representative in the 114th Legislative District where he served on the Environmental & Energy, Small Business, Commerce, Gaming Oversight, Professional Licensure, and other committees.
He feels it is through his life experiences in the public and private sectors as well his upbringing in a third-generation family business, that he has learned the necessary qualities needed to make change and not be afraid to lead, even under the direst situations.
Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a minor in Economics from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he sits on the Board of Alumni and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni of IUP. Jim also holds a Masters of Public Administration from Marywood University.
She received her BA and MA in sociology at St. John’s University. Highlighted in the March 2020 issue of Happenings Magazine as one of the most “Influential Women in NEPA,” and NEPA Business Journal’s Top 20 under 40 Young Business Professionals 2019 honoree.