John Easoz Resigns as Chairman of the MVA and MVAF
Will Thomeier Appointed Chairman of the MVA and MVAF
Monongahela, PA, October 17th, 2022 – Today, the Mon Valley Alliance and Mon Valley Alliance Foundation accepted the resignation of John Easoz Chairman of the Mon Valley Alliance (MVA) and Mon Valley Alliance Foundation (MVAF). Will Thomeier, a member of the MVA & MVAF Board of Directors, has been unanimously selected to serve as the next Chairman, effective immediately.
Mr. Easoz has served as Chairman of Mon Valley Alliance/Foundation since it was formed by the merger of the Mon Valley Progress Council (MVPC) and Middle Monongahela Industrial Development Association (MMIDA) in 2016. Prior to the merger, he served many years on the Board of Directors of the MVPC. He has served a vital role in merging and guiding the newly formed organization and now looks forward to spending his retirement with his wife, Patricia, in North Carolina.
“The time I have spent with the Progress Council and the Mon Valley Alliance has been very fulfilling and fun, and I am glad we have been able to make such a positive impact on the Mon Valley during this time. I am proud of how our team has grown the organization in the last six years following the merger of the Progress Council and MMIDA, making the new organization very healthy and secure,” said Easoz. “While it saddens me to leave, I am very comfortable that the MVA is in good hands going forward. Our staff seems to be able to handle anything coming their way and the Board is loaded with talent and very active. I’ll be glad to continue to support the organization from afar, as needed, in the future as I wish the organization well on keeping the ball rolling.”
Will Thomeier, the new MVA/F Chairman, is the Director of Economic and Tourism Development at the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, providing marketing, business attraction and retention efforts, and project development on behalf of Washington County. Mr. Thomeier has served on the board of the MVA/F since 2019 and is a key member of the Parks and Projects Committee. Mr. Thomeier is well versed in community and economic development projects through his work with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and MVA/F, and prior to that, as District Director for State Senator Camera Bartolotta. Mr. Thomeier offered the following statement on the organizational changes at the MVA/F, “John Easoz leaves big shoes to fill, but I am confident that with our dynamic staff and a board of directors that brings a diverse array of strengths and skills, the MVA/F will continue the successful path that John has helped forge for the organization over the past six years. I am excited and proud to step into this leadership role with such a strong team around me and grateful to my colleagues on the board for their trust and support. The Mon Valley Alliance, like the Mid Mon Valley itself, has a bright future ahead and I look forward to playing a small role in helping to realize that future.”
Added Jamie Colecchi, Chief Executive Officer of the MVA and MVAF, “In one sense it is a tremendous void to fill when someone of John’s caliber and dedication leaves service as a member of the Board of Directors, however, it is equally exciting for the Board of Directors to show the confidence in the leadership and skills that Will Thomeier delivers to both organizations.” said Colecchi, “Mr. Easoz has provided a steady hand in the growth of the MVA/F over the years, as evidenced by the strong financial position of the organization and the continued, successful development of projects throughout the Mid-Mon Valley.”