Board of Directors
Directors
Ellen Scott
President
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Nora Alvarez
Vice President
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Lisa Carmoli
Secretary
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Matt Whittall
Treasurer
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Keith Burress
Past President
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Members
Kevin Hartnett
Member
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Janet Gervais
Member
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Chris Morris
Member
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Ken George
Member
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Jeff Gardiner
Member
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Kevin Coleman
Member
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Theresa Thornton
Emeritus
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Lynn Seay
Emeritus
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Ellen Scott
President
Ellen is special counsel in the Berwyn office of Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders, LLP. She has retired from her prior practice in the firm’s Health Sciences Department, in which she represented manufacturers and marketers of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and medical devices in defense of complex mass torts, product liability, and consumer fraud litigation. She now works solely on pro bono matters, including the representation of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and homeless advocacy work. Ellen is also a Fellow of the Pepper Center for Public Service. She has a BA in political science, a master’s in secondary education and a law degree.
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Nora Alvarez
Vice President
Nora Alvarez is a Senior Project Manager at Horizon Associates, LLC. Her responsibilities include managing software implementations, support for new and existing initiatives, and special projects for a diverse group of clients in various industries. She interfaces with internal/external resources as needed (otherwise known as cat herding), to ensure that timelines and objectives are met.
She holds a Master of Science – Information Science degree from Penn State and a Bachelor of Arts – Organizational Dynamics degree from Immaculata University. She was born in Cuba, is bilingual, and has lived in Chester County since 1996. In her spare time, she enjoys reading (almost any genre), traveling, and hiking.
She is honored and excited to be part of the Orion Communities Board and looks forward to contributing in any way possible to the organization and those it serves.
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Lisa Carmoli
Secretary
Lisa is a graduate of Purchase College (State University of New York) with a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies.
She is an administrative professional with over twenty years experience in various fields including banking and vocational education. Lisa was introduced to Orion through her role at Meridian Bank, and is known around Orion as the “Window Lady” for designing seasonal windows to lift the spirits of staff and clients during the pandemic. In addition to her volunteer work at Orion, Lisa is also actively involved at the Lionville Y and in suicide prevention advocacy. She enjoys cooking, bike riding, exploring the area and spending time with her family and friends.
Lisa is a native of Upstate New York, and is proud to call Chester County home for the past ten years.
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Matt Whittall
Treasurer
Matt Whittall is a Managing Director in the audit practice of KPMG LLP. He has over 12 years of experience providing assurance services to public and private companies within the asset management, consumer goods, and software industries. Matt has extensive experience in the accounting areas of income taxes, revenue recognition, and capitalized software recognition. He completed the Chester Country Community Foundations ‘Get on Board’ program, before joining the Orion Communities Governance Committee. Matt earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2012. He lives in Worcester, PA with his wife Kaitlin, and son, Matthew.
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Keith Burress
Past President
Keith stumbled into the most challenging and rewarding opportunity for growth by joining Orion’s board in 2014. He found a passionate organization with deep community roots that matched the community awareness that he was taught as a child. Philadelphia born and bred (thoroughly celebrated the Eagles Super Bowl victory) he has worked for over 20 years at Family Service of Chester County as a Medical Case Manager providing services to those infected/affected by HIV in Chester County.
Keith graduated from Hahnemann University/Drexel University with a B.A. in Psychology and is a certified mediator. He is a past board member of The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium and the African American Health and Wellness Fair and currently a member of The Community Coalition, H.U.B. of Hope, and the Council on Affordable Housing. For fun and relaxation his love of music and sports are only surpassed by the joy of his family.
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Kevin Hartnett
Member
Kevin attended Gettysburg College and graduated with a B.A. in Economics and a Minor in Business. He was also a competitive member of the collegiate swim team. Currently, he is a Wealth Advisor at Sensenig Capital Advisors, a “fee-only” RIA firm who proudly serves local individuals, families, businesses, and institutions. Prior to beginning his current role in 2020, he was a Regional Director at SEI Investments. Over the past several years, he volunteered for Compass pro bono, an organization that grants pro bono consulting services to nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia community. Outside of working and volunteering, he participates in triathlons, CrossFit, Jiu Jitsu, and other active pursuits. Kevin is a Villanova native, and currently resides in Audubon with his fiancé Alex.
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Jennifer Heller
Member
Jennifer Heller is a graduate of Rider University with a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Business Administration. She has worked in the plastic manufacturing space for over 18 years leading teams in new product development, marketing and sales. Currently, Jennifer is the VP of Business Development, Strategy & Innovation at M&Q Holdings, which manufactures brand like PanSaver and Flavorseal.
Jennifer has a heart for serving her community through Victory Church, local charities and now with Orion. She enjoys bringing people together, event planning and fundraising. Jennifer is also an avid golfer at Rivercrest Golf Club & Preserve where she serves on the Ladies Golf Association Committee. Jen and her husband Mark love to spend time with family, golf, and travel the globe.
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Janet Gervais
Member
Janet Gervais has worked as a research scientist for local pharmaceutical and Bio Tech companies and has planned social events for corporations. These events varied from Departmental Picnics, Employee and family appreciation days, Bring your Kids to Work Day, organizing volunteers to help at Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Laurel House (food, gift cards), Toys for Tots and more.
Janet also serves on the Board of Wings for Success, VP Wings for Success (2019-present) a non-profit organization that provides apparel, advice and advocacy to deserving women in the community. Janet attended University of Technology, Jamaica (Diploma in Medical Technology) as well as Cabrini College where she earned a BS in Biology and MS in Organizational Leadership.
Janet now serves on the Cabrini University Alumni Board (2020- present) working to bring equality and improve the school’s involvement in the student community and create more alumni engagement.
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Ken George
Member
Ken has been Orion’s go to guy for many years and it is due to his generous nature and incredible variety of life experiences. It culminated during his final working years as the lay executive in charge of immigration services, refugee resettlement, and domestic disaster relief for American Baptist Churches USA. But that just scratches the surface. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Ken has worked in public service that led him to be the Director of City Development for Schenectady, NY. He is also a theater enthusiast and enjoys both attending live performances as well as being on stage… a personal favorite was playing Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. Orion has benefited greatly from Ken’s leadership, broad experiences and sense of humor in serving our mission for those in need.
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Chris Morris
Member
Chris worked for 33 years in the Industrial Marketplace. The last position he held was Vice President of Sales for a large International manufacturing company. Chris currently volunteers in Orion’s STARS program and participates in the technology team. He holds a BSME from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Portland. Chris and his family have lived in the Phoenixville area since 1996.
Chris enjoys spending time with his family and friends. His hobbies include playing pickleball and taking yoga classes at the Phoenixville YMCA. Chris and his family also enjoy hiking in our national parks, skiing, and spending time in the Pacific Northwest.
Chris is looking forward to helping Orion Communities reach their strategic goals by deploying appropriate technology as they continue servicing their increasing caseload.
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Jeff Gardiner
Member
After earning a BS in Computer Science from Loyola University New Orleans in 1983, I landed a temporary job in Malvern to earn some money while searching for a “real” career. Four decades later, I’m still working in the same “temporary” job at what is now Oracle corporation.
Alongside my professional work, I’m actively involved in volunteering in and around Phoenixville. The majority of my time is split between the Orion Tech Committee and coaching teenage girls’ fastpitch softball (which we practice and play year-round). Additionally, I’m part of a group of good friends who assist small, local nonprofits with computer-related issues.
Originally from Long Beach Island, NJ, I now reside with my family in the western “suburbs” of Phoenixville.
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Kevin Coleman
Member
Mr. Coleman is Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer at AMETEK, Inc., a publicly traded, global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices headquartered in Berwyn, PA. He has extensive financial, treasury, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic development experience. Prior to taking on his current role in 2011, Mr. Coleman was Director, Corporate Development at AMETEK from 2006. Prior to AMETEK, he was Director, Corporate Strategy and Development at Unisys Corp. and Vice President, Investment at Osage Industries, a private equity firm. He received an MBA in Finance from Villanova University and a B.S. in Accounting from Villanova University.
Mr. Coleman is a native of Scranton, PA and currently resides in Phoenixville with his two teenage boys.
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Theresa Thornton
Emeritus
Theresa Thornton is a Phoenixville native and business owner. She and her family have been active in the community since 1955. Her business, Miss Kitty’s Care, encourages good mental and spiritual health of family caregivers and other caregivers.
Theresa is co-founder and President of Black Light Projects. Additionally, she partners and volunteers with several other local community initiatives.
Theresa has a BA in Political Science from Yale University. She serves on the boards of the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation, and is a Board Emeritus member of Phoenixville Area Positive Alternatives.
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Lynn Seay
Emeritus
Lynn Seay is a native Chester Countian who graduated from Henderson High School in West Chester, attended Delaware County Community College, and served four (4) years in the U.S. Air Force as an X-ray technician.
As a professional with 50 years of working experience, she has experience in the following areas: banking, hospital cardiac catheterization lab, Paralegal, and as the Administrative and Development Coordinator for the last ten years at a non-profit serving elders in a large retirement community.
As a person who wants to contribute to her community, Lynn has been a longtime volunteer at the Chester County Domestic Violence Center, and at Orion Communities.
Lynn resides in Phoenixville and has two grown children living locally and five grandchildren.
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