New hires and promotions

Cindy Hostetler has been appointed as the new president/CEO of Johnstown Area Regional Industries effective May 1.

She will assume the role of JARI president/CEO on May 1, allowing a two-month transition with Linda Thomson, who is retiring after 25 years of dedicated service.

Hostetler brings more than 20 years of experience as an international marketing and business development executive, having most recently served as senior manager of business attraction and retention at the Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development. Throughout her tenure from 2012 to 2025, she successfully led 32 projects that generated over 2,500 jobs and $610 million in capital investment for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Andrew Nedzinski has been appointed by 1st Summit Bank as vice president and senior business relationship manager, responsible for overseeing Westmoreland and surrounding markets. This appointment underscores the bank’s ongoing efforts to expand its presence and better serve the communities it supports.

In his new role, Nedzinski will manage and foster the bank’s expanding business relationship portfolio in key growth markets. His appointment reflects 1st Summit Bank’s steadfast dedication to the region and will play a pivotal role in helping local businesses thrive by offering customized business banking solutions.

Retirement

Michael Snare of Huntingdon recently retired from his position as director of claims with Mutual Benefit Group after 36 years of service.

Snare joined the company in 1989 as a commercial lines underwriter. In 1992, he moved to the claims department as a claims representative. Since then, he has served the claims department in several other roles, including multi-line field representative, senior multi-line field representative, multi-line claims supervisor and director of claims.

Miscellaneous

Lindsay Detwiler, a Hollidaysburg author, is featured in the new book Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from My Dog, contributing a heartfelt story, “Pawprints on My Heart,” about the meaningful connections we share with our dogs and the valuable lessons they teach us.

Detwiler is a bestselling romance author of more than 13 novels, including “The Trail to You,” featuring her Mastiff, Henry. She is also the USA Today Bestselling author of “The Widow Next Door.” Lindsay is a high school teacher in Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband, Chad, and her Great Dane, Edmund.

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