Meet Our Board and Staff

B.E.S.T. is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors.
(*) indicates Neighborhood Resident

Meet Our Board:

Father Steve Simon* - Chairperson
Pastor, Russian Orthodox Old Rite Church of the Nativity
Professor, Mercyhurst University

Del Birch* - Vice-Chairperson
East Bayfront Neighborhood Watch

Corey Cook
Erie Downtown Development Corporation

Bonnie Fitzpatrick – Treasurer
Erie Insurance Group, SSV Treasury Management Work

B.J. Lechner
Decision Associates

Joe Krol*
Art Instructor

Joe Koehle*
East Bayfront Neighborhood Watch

Jacqueline George*
Board Member

Garrett Shames
Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, Glowacki Management Company

Michael Lorei
Corporate Real Estate, Erie Insurance Group

Alan Hilling
Hilling Pfeffer Insurance

John Bonnett - Secretary
Director Crisis Prevention and Management Work: Erie Insurance Group

Bill Hoderny*
Resident

Brian Iavarone
UPMC Hamot

Katie Bool Shafer
UPMC Health Plan

Meet Our Staff:

Marcia K. Farrell, Ph.D.
Interim Director
P: 814-456-7062 ex.2
E: mfarrell@besterie.org
Marcia began working at B.E.S.T. in 2022. She returned to Erie in 2017, after a career as a tenured English professor. For B.E.S.T., Marcia oversees grant applications and reports, assists with rental communications, and record keeping.

Dana Stewart
Neighborhood Assets Manager
P: 814-456-7062 ex.3
E: dstewart@besterie.org
 .

Megan Richter
Accountant