Our Team

Your business needs aren't one-dimensional, and neither is our approach to economic development. Our key partners work collaboratively and strategically to address individual business needs and our community as a whole.

Justin Taylor, Executive Director

Justin Taylor is a highly experienced public policy leader with a distinguished career of government service spanning nearly 25 years. As the new Executive Director of the Wayne Economic Development Corporation (“WEDCO”), Justin is aggressively working to expand Wayne County’s commercial & industrial footprint, and to assist local companies create additional family-sustaining jobs!

Prior to his WEDCO appointment, Justin served as the Mayor & City Administrator of Carbondale for 20 years. There, he spearheaded community-wide revitalization, and played a pivotal role in creating economic growth through large-scale development projects that would have regional impact. During his tenure, Justin successfully led initiatives and administered programs that attracted over $80 Million of investment through cutting edge incentives, streamlined local regulatory processes, and partnerships between the public and private sectors.

As the previous Director of Susquehanna County’s Department of Economic Development, Justin Taylor assisted with the start-up of 55 new businesses, and successfully recruited national retail and commercial tenants to the County for the first time. Combining these rural experiences with those in the City of Carbondale, Justin has a deep understanding of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s economic landscape and overall challenges, such as infrastructure, transportation, skilled workers, housing, and technology.

His wealth of expertise in strategic planning, industry cluster support, and stakeholder engagement have twice earned Justin recognition as one of the “Top 40 Under 40 in Business” by the Northeast Business Journal and The Times Leader – while serving in public sector positions. He has held numerous positions on state-wide boards and regional committees, including the Pennsylvania Municipal League, and PNC Bank Northeast Community Development Advisory Board.

Justin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration / Criminal Justice from The University of Scranton, and an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Engineering from Luzerne County Community College. He resides in Carbondale with his wife Ashley, and their four boys – Creighton, Cashel, Callaghan & Cameron.

Fred Howell, Attorney

Katheryne Hait, Executive Director, Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance

Holly Przasnyski, Interim Executive Director, The Chamber of the Northern Poconos


Wayne County Commissioners

Brian W. Smith, Chairman
Commissioner Smith is a graduate of Wayne Highlands School District. He continued his education at Penn State University, Worthington Scranton Campus, obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology and also served as President of the American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians.  Hired directly out of college, he worked for Newport News Shipping Building and Dry Dock Company in Virginia, doing electronic design on Nuclear Submarines. He moved back to Wayne County and worked at Wayne Memorial Hospital for seven years as a Bio-Med Technician. Since 1985, Commissioner Smith and his family have also operated a farm in Wayne County.

Jocelyn Cramer
Jocelyn Cramer had a business management career that spanned more than 25 years, in the non-profit, medical and financial sectors. She served as the executive director of SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support) from 2013 to 2018 and currently serves on their board of directors. Jocelyn is also the Chair of the Sustainable Energy Fund (Allentown). She is a lifelong supporter of the environment and the arts. She is married to Michael Rollison, a commercial lender at Wayne Bank. They live in Damascus Township.

James Shook
Commissioner Shook graduated from Wallenpaupack Area High School, after which he owned and operated the Wallenpaupack Lanes, a bowling alley which he relocated to site off Route 6 just west of Hawley in 1994. In 1999, he took over operation of the Lake Region IGA supermarket, which he has operated for more than 20 years. In 2007, he created the Community Dock Foundation, which is funded privately and through annual fundraising events and helps those in need. He served on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of the Northern Poconos and its predecessor the Pocono Lake Region Chamber of Commerce from 2000 to 2021, serving as President and Treasurer. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management and has previously served on the Wayne County Investment Board and the Hawley Parks & Recreation Commission. In 2021, Shook and his partner opened the Paupack Watering Hole on Route 6 just east of Hawley. He and his wife of more than 20 years, Rebecca, live in Palmyra Township. They have three daughters.