DePietro’s Pharmacy
Al Riggleman, DePietro’s Pharmacy (SUBMITTED)
The independent pharmacy, which has served the community of Northeast Pennsylvania since 2012, welcomed Al Riggleman, PharmD., as a retail/clinical pharmacist on June 2. With 16 years of experience in the field, she brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication and a deep commitment to patient care, the company said. Her professional expertise and compassionate approach make her a valuable addition to the pharmacy and a trusted resource for the community.
Riggleman said she is looking forward to bringing her small-town values and strong work ethic to her new role. She is eager to get to know patients and contribute to improving their health and well-being.
She will oversee pharmacy operations and spearhead a new approach to preventive health. Preventive services such as vaccinations and supplements are often overlooked in busy retail pharmacy settings.
Riggleman holds a Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree from Temple University School of Pharmacy. She resides in Old Forge.
Geisinger School of Medicine
Joaquim Diego Santos, Geisinger School of Medicine (SUBMITTED)
Joaquim Diego Santos, a member of the medical school’s class of 2028, has received a highly competitive Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Carolyn L. Kuckein Research Fellowship.
Just 50 awards are made annually “to foster the development of the next generation of medical researchers.” AOA, the national medical honor society, aims to promote scholarship and research in medical schools, encourage high standards of character and conduct among medical students and graduates, and recognize high attainment of goals in medical science, practice and related fields.
Gross McGinley LLP
George W. Westervelt Jr., Gross McGinley (SUBMITTED)
The law firm announced that George W. Westervelt Jr., highly respected Monroe County attorney, has joined the firm. Westervelt’s distinguished career and unwavering dedication to client advocacy will further strengthen the firm’s commitment to serving clients throughout Monroe County and the greater region. He will join current partner Victoria A. Strunk at the firm’s Stroudsburg office.
With a practice focused on commercial and federal litigation, eminent domain, real estate tax appeals, estate litigation and products liability, Westervelt is recognized for his thoughtful approach to complex legal challenges and a steadfast dedication to protecting clients’ rights and interests.
Throughout his career, Westervelt has earned the respect of his peers and the broader legal community. He has maintained an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell since 1978, reflecting the highest level of professional excellence and ethical standards. Westervelt is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he served as editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, as well as Seton Hall University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree cum laude.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center
Drew Mackie, NEPIRC (SUBMITTED)
The board of directors recently announced the promotion of Drew Mackie to the role of president/CEO, effective July 1.
Mackie will lead the organization with the mission to empower small and midsized manufacturers with world-class assessment, performance evaluation, training and consultative services.
In a search that spanned the nation, Mackie’s appointment is a testament to his distinguished career of more than 23 years of experience in client services and small-business manufacturing support.
Prior to his appointment, Mackie held the position of executive vice president for nearly three years, and CFO, a position in which he focused on the center’s program management, staff leadership and grant compliance, for nine years.
Mackie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Scranton and is a graduate of the Tab Wilkins Emerging Leaders program from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).
Sparky’s Transportation Corp.
Anika Sehne, Sparky’s Transportation (SUBMITTED)
The company, located at 600 S. State St., Clarks Summit, announced that Anika Sehne has been hired as its chief financial officer as of May 2025. Sehne began her service to the company as an intern three years prior for the chief financial officer of the family of companies.
She has had an amazing academic career. Her high school years were filled with varied cultural experiences in her own family, which hosted Rotary youth exchange students for years. These experiences inspired her to become an exchange student herself, and later a Rotarian. She lived in France and Mexico on cultural exchanges, where she learned French and Spanish.
Sehne is a graduate of the University of Scranton, summa cum laude. She is the recipient of the university’s 2025 Excellence in International Business Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree while working, gaining real-world and classroom knowledge together. Sehne is pursuing her MBA at the university while working full time for the company.
She is tasked with creating a new division of the company that will focus on providing on-time, safe, reasonably priced transportation services to a wide range of customers.