Krista L. Schneider of the Downtown Alliance for Progress ( DHAP) has been selected as the recipient of the 2018 Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, sponsored by Berger Family Dealership and Blaise Alexander Dealership.

Ms. Schneider is the Executive Director of DHAP since 2014, as well as one of the founding members of the non-profit that began work in earnest in the fall of 2013. The young organization has had substantial success including a comprehensive strategic plan for downtown revitalization to drive econonmic development and rehabilitaton of city’s core commercial district. Being designated as a Keystone Main Street by PA Department of Community and Economic Development, and receiving an award of the 6th best performing entity in the Commonwealth in 2017. Other highlights and successes under Krista’s leadership include, the City Arts Center initiative, work on establishing a city Park on Broad Street, renovating a blighted property for use as a new Penn State LaunchBox business incubator, as well as a $75,000 façade rehabilitation grant program for several properties downtown. Her work has resulted in an organization that has grown to over $1 million dollars in asset, with over $5 million dollars raised in public and private funding for downtown projects. The economic engine of DHAP work is evident in the 80 new business that have added more than 120 full-time equivalent jobs added in last four years. 

Partnering for progress has been a hallmark of Krista’s leadership skills. The work with the Chamber on the Downtown Hazleton Farmer’s Market and engaging other partners has expanded the reach.  The  efforts with POWER and the Chamber, led by Krista has made the First Friday events be known as must attend events throughout the region. She has also been key in the working with the Hazleton Art League and the successful capital campaign of Banking on the Arts.

Ms. Schneider's undergraduate degree is from Penn State through a full Army ROTC Scholarship. She received a commission in the US Army Quartermaster Corps and served four years on active duty, two on reserve. She achieved the rank of Captain. Krista obtained her Master Degree in Urban Design from Harvard University. She is the proud mom of two amazing kids, Ben and Ella and married to her husband Rob Schneider since 1993.

Krista has been a community leader with significant impact in the Greater Hazleton Area. She has served on the CAN DO Community Foundation Board, the Hazleton Historical Society & Museum, and the Downtown Hazleton Overlay District Review Committee. Her passion for the environment has translated to great community impact, with the establishment of the Butler Township Community Garden in 2009. She also founded the Growing Markets Program to provide job opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs and college interns in organic farming and small scale agribusiness.

 
The Athena Award, presented each year to a Hazleton Area businesswoman "for outstanding professional achievement," will be presented at the 126th  Anniversary & Executive Business Exposition of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. We are happy to have the Berger Family Dealership in partnership with Blaise Alexander Dealership, as the sponsor of this year Athena award. The Berger Family initiated the award and has continued it support from it inception in 1986. The annual event is the largest event on the chamber calendar and will take place at Genetti Catering on Thursday, May 17th.   

Ms.Schneider joins a long list of distinguished women who have won the Athena Award in its thirty two year history. Past winners include: 1986, Lillian Paternoster; 1987, Lorraine Piehota; 1988, Donna Jean Yannuzzi; 1989, Mary Bollman; 1990, Patricia Werner-Savage; 1991, Theresa Raffety; 1992, Martha Herron; 1994, Jo-Ann Yannuzzi; 1996, Ruth Wimsat; 1997, Molly Blasko; 1998, Bettie Sitoski; 1999, Linda Schreiber; 2000, Cathy Gallagher; 2001, Mary Jane Saras; 2002, Atty. Sharon Evans; 2003, Dr. Geraldine Shepperson; 2004, Mary R.  Malone; 2005, Atty. Elizabeth Maguschak; 2006, Jennifer Sloot; 2007, Paula Sagan Hahn; 2008, Lonnie Polli; 2009, Terry Moran Bauder; 2010, Dr. Deb Carr; 2011, Nancy Stasko; 2012, Jeannine Lesante Mazurkiwecz; 2013, Ms. Kathleen Benyo; 2014, Donna Palermo; 2015, Elaine Judd; 2016, Jane Danish; and 2017, Carla M. Thaller. There were no winners in 1993 and 1995.

To make a reservation to attend the Chamber’s 126th Anniversary event, contact the Chamber office at 455-1509 or via email at

Pictured in the photo from left is Jeff Berger, Vice President Berger Family Dealership; Krista L. Schneider, 2018 Athena Winner and Jay Kilheeney, General Manager, Berger Family Dealership and Blaise Alexander Family Dealership. Photo credit, Ellen O'Connell, Standard Speaker.