Roof Garden Biz: Henry reaches milestone, new leadership and FSA farm loans available

Roof Garden Biz is a monthly roundup of business happenings in Somerset County. To submit an item, email news@dailyamerican.com.

Timothy M. Henry reaches a career milestone at Ameriprise Financial

Timothy M. Henry, a Private Wealth Advisor with The Henry Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC in Johnstown, with an office location in the Johnstown/Somerset area, has reached a career milestone through the company’s Circle of Success program by achieving years of consistently high performance. Ten percent of Ameriprise advisors have earned this distinction. Henry was one of only 49 advisors to achieve this milestone in 2023.

He has 24 years of experience with Ameriprise Financial. As a private wealth advisory practice, The Henry Group provides financial advice anchored in a solid understanding of client needs and expectations and provided in one-on-one relationships with its clients. For more information, contact Timothy M. Henry at 814-254-4188, visit the Ameriprise office at 160 Jari Drive, Suite 115, Johnstown, PA 15904, or visit thehenrygroupteam.com.

Employees at Conemaugh Health System receive education and training for new leadership roles

Conemaugh Health System announced nine employees who were promoted or hired into leadership positions have successfully graduated from the New Leader Curriculum program. The New Leader Curriculum (NLC) is available to every leader promoted from within or hired from outside the Conemaugh Health System. Developed in partnership with St. Francis University, the NLC program began in 2013 and provides education and training to prepare participants for their new leadership role.

The program includes courses in business acumen, relationship building, and personal development. Upon completion, leaders receive a management certificate from both Conemaugh Health System and St. Francis University. The graduates may then continue to earn college credit by completing a customized course at St. Francis, which expands upon the content provided in the NLC program.

“The program has played an instrumental role in the development of our leaders,” said Joan Colbert, human resource business partner. “It’s a unique opportunity for our employees to learn and grow into leaders in their field and the community.”

The most recent class of graduates include: Leann Cruse, Cardiovascular Division manager; Zena Johns, director, Primary Care, Conemaugh Physician Group; Jonathan Hoover, manager, Environmental Services, Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center; Jake Radwanski, director, facility operations; Bob Dobis, assistant director, nursing; Amy Poplinski, director, Wound Service/Advanced Wound Center; Sonia Walker, manager, Patient Care Resource Center; Dustin Abrams, practice manager, Conemaugh Physician Group Urology/Rheumatology; and Nan Beach, Patient Financial Services manager, Conemaugh Miners Medical Center.

FSA farm loans available

Amanda L. Mosholder for USDA’s Farm Service Agency serving Bedford, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Somerset and Westmoreland counties in Pennsylvania reminds producers that FSA has funding reserved specifically for use by Targeted Underserved Groups and Beginning Farmers. These loan programs are designed to help farmers purchase and operate family farms.

“With these loan programs, FSA hopes to help reverse the declining number of farmers and ranchers across the United States and especially here in Bedford, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Somerset and Westmoreland counties,” said Amanda Mosholder in a press release. “These loans help encourage and assist them in owning and operating their own farms and ranches, participate in agricultural programs, and become integral parts of the agricultural community.”

According to Mosholder, FSA reserves a portion of its loan funds each year for Targeted Underserved Groups. USDA defines a Targeted Underserved farmer as one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of the group without regard to their individual qualities. For purposes of this program, targeted underserved groups are women, African Americans, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, and Asians and Pacific Islanders.

Direct loans are made to applicants by FSA and include both farm operating and farm ownership loans. Repayment terms for direct operating loans depend on the collateral securing the loan and usually run from one to seven years. Mosholder says the repayment terms for direct ownership loans can be as long as 40 years. Interest rates for direct loans are set periodically according to the government’s cost of borrowing. The down payment loan program requires the applicant to provide a minimum down payment of 5% in cash and then the loan cannot exceed 45% of the lesser of the purchase price, the appraised value of the farm to be acquired or $667,000.00 and a term not to exceed 20 years. Subject to the direct farm ownership loan limit of $600,000.00. Down payment loans made as Micro Loans for FO purposes may not exceed $50,000.00.

Farm ownership loan funds may be used to purchase or enlarge a farm, purchase easements or right of way needed in the farm’s operation, erect or improve buildings such as a dwelling or barn, promote soil and water conservation and development, and pay closing costs. Farm operating loans funds may be used to purchase livestock, poultry, farm and home equipment, feed, seed, fuel, fertilizer, chemicals, refinance debts, hail or other crop insurance, food, clothing, medical care and hired labor. Funds also may be used to install or improve water systems for home use, livestock or irrigation, and other improvements.

Individuals, partnerships, joint operations, corporations, and cooperatives primarily and directly engaged in farming and ranching on family-size operations may apply. A family-size farm is considered to be one that a family can operate and manage itself.

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for a given program before FSA can extend program benefits. For additional information or applications for all FSA direct loan programs contact your local FSA office at 6024 Glades Pike, Suite 102, Somerset PA 15501 or 814-445-6174, ext. 2.

Conemaugh Physician Group welcomes Monica Kusuma-Pringle

Conemaugh Physician Group announced the addition of Monica Kusuma Pringle, MD, to its Family Medicine practice. Kusuma Pringle received her bachelor's and doctor of medicine degrees from Trisakti University, Indonesia. She completed her residency training at Diponegoro University in the Department of Psychiatry. She also completed residency training at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in the Family Medicine Residency Program in 2022. Additionally, Kusuma Pringle is fellowship-trained in hospice and palliative care.

Kusuma Pringle has earned numerous and varied certifications, including a certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider. She is committed to the advancement of medical education and supports budding healthcare providers through her roles as an Adjunct Instructor at Penn Highlands Community College and intern supervisor at the Johnstown Free Medical Clinic. In addition, she actively engages in community service, volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, contributing to medical mission trips, and participating in numerous community initiatives.

Kusuma Pringle's clinical experience includes roles as a Resident Physician of Family Medicine, Program Coordinator/Director, and various observer positions, highlighting her dedication to diverse aspects of healthcare delivery. In her role with Conemaugh Physician Group, she will support palliative and survivorship care at the Enhanced Supportive Care Clinic. Engaging in a myriad of hobbies, from music and the arts to couponing, Kusuma Pringle brings a global perspective to both her professional and personal life.

She is now accepting new patients at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, 1086 Franklin St., Johnstown. Appointments can be made by calling Conemaugh Physician Group ― Family Medicine at 814-534-9106.

Keller Engineers Inc. hires Buncich

Keller Engineers Inc., with locations in Hollidaysburg, State College, Gettysburg and Haddonfield, New Jersey, announced the hiring of Stephanie Buncich in the Water/Wastewater Division.

Buncich is from Davidsville and went to Conemaugh Township High School. She joins the Water/Wastewater Division as a project manager. She has 10 years of experience working in the civil engineering industry. Throughout those years, Buncich has gained a myriad of experience including, but not limited to, project management, municipal engineering, water quality management, annual reporting for the Department of Environmental Protection, NPDES and E&S permitting, and project bid management. She holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering technology from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and is an engineer-in-training in Pennsylvania. Buncich is also a member of the Conemaugh Township Planning Commission Committee.

Keller Engineers Inc. is a full-service engineering firm providing client-focused civil and structural engineering and surveying services.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Roof Garden Biz: New leadership, physician and farm loans available