Neely Named New Chair of Happy Valley Adventure Bureau Board

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau Board of Directors this week elected a new chairman and appointed six new members.

Tom Neely, general manager of the Nittany Lion Inn, will serve as board chair, succeeding Hospitality Asset Management Company Chief Operating Officer Edward Tubbs, who held the role for the last three years.

Tubbs led the county’s tourism promotion agency through the appointment of a new CEO, a rebranding from the former Convention and Visitors Bureau name, a move from the former visitors center on Park Avenue to downtown State College, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic for the local hospitality industry, HVAB President and CEO Fritz Smith said.

“Edward’s leadership as board chair helped the organization navigate through significant periods of change and challenges,” Smith said in a statement. “We are grateful for his service and continued role with the HVAB, as we welcome Tom as our new chairman. We are confident that his vision will be invaluable during this time of recovery, and as we prepare for a new era of visitation and tourism promotion.”

State College Spikes General Manager Scott Walker will continue as vice chairman of the HVAB board, with Jennifer Corman, director of business development for Fullington Auto Bus Company, serving as treasurer.

The board also elected six new members:

• Vincent McDonald, Chief International Strategy Officer, AccuWeather, Inc.
• Kevin Lloyd, Co-Owner/Production Manager, Big Spring Spirits
• Deb Nardone, Executive Director, ClearWater Conservancy
• Jennifer Brooks-Stahl, General Manager, Wyndham Garden State College
• David Capparella, Owner, Capparella Furniture
• Dustin Minarchick, Commercial Lending Officer, CNB Bank

The terms of members Darlene Confer, Joe Thomas, Bob Ricketts, JaNae Wian and Charima Young ended on June 30, though Young, Penn State’s director of local government and community relations, will remain as a special advisor.