EPCAMR is proud to announce that one of several volunteer positions has been filled, by Frank Knorek, as Community Development Coordinator to assist us with developing a ceramics and pottery program that utilizes the iron oxide byproduct from remediated AMD cleanup sites throughout the Wyoming Valley for glazes and artwork. The project that EPCAMR is working on, includes partnering with local school districts, colleges and artists to educate the community about the ceramic arts, and mine drainage and mine reclamation issues in a fun and interactive way. EPCAMR is hoping to establish a relationship with the Greater Nanticoke Elementary School District and is awaiting confirmation on their participation in the project. EPCAMR is looking to donate a few pottery wheels to the school’s Elementary Art Program, if they are interested, should we obtain funding. EPCAMR is hoping to work with Mrs. Litchkofksi, Mrs. Bartle, Mrs. Kiwak, and others within the Elementary and Gifted Program to bring our programs and outdoor field experiences to the Greater Nanticoke Area, where, our Executive Director, also lives, coaches, and has taught many different programs over the years to students of all ages at the Elementary Center and in the High School.
“The most attractive aspect of volunteering with EPCAMR was the opportunity to contribute my talents and experience for the betterment of the community and the resources we all share. From a young age, I have always enjoyed fishing and hiking throughout the region’s many lakes, rivers, and wooded areas. By combining my advocacy for environmental issues, academic background in ceramics and talent for project management, I am honored to be a part of EPCAMR.”, stated Frank enthusiastically.
Throughout his early professional career, Frank brings with him a decade’s worth of diverse experience from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Frank is highly experienced with building working relationships among community organizations, local college’s, and government entities.
Frank calls Northeastern Pennsylvania his home, as a life-long resident of Nanticoke, PA. Frank is a 2002 graduate of Greater Nanticoke Area High School in Luzerne County. Frank holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from Wilkes University, and an A.A.S. in Social Science from Luzerne County Community College.
As an undergraduate at Wilkes University, Frank interned with some of northeastern Pennsylvania’s top organizations, including: The Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development, The Wilkes University Small Business Development Center, and GUARD Insurance Group. His internship experience included economic development policy analysis, corporate government affairs, and higher education project administration. Upon graduation, Frank earned the faculty nomination for Intern of the Year.
After graduation, Frank joined Jeri E. Stumpf & Associates, Inc., a community & economic development and government affairs consulting firm based in Lancaster, PA. Frank’s primary responsibilities included analysis of land use planning policy, preparation of comprehensive planning documents, and the creation survey instruments designed to measure market capacities for retail and tourism development within a downtown setting.
Additionally, Frank spent time as volunteer coordinator of the Downtown Nanticoke Alliance, a non-profit downtown economic development initiative partnership among the City of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College, and local business leaders.
After settling into a career in the corporate world, Frank has gained five years experience as a Purchasing Agent for Benco Dental, the nation’s largest independent distributor of dental supplies and equipment.
In his ever shrinking spare time, Frank enjoys fishing, the culinary arts, and home improvement projects.
Robert E. Hughes, Executive Director of EPCAMR states emphatically, “EPCAMR is privileged to have Frank’s level of expertise and time donated as a volunteer to our organization as we begin to develop this new AMD & ART Ceramics and Pottery Program that we think will result in an increased awareness of AMD in our communities and create an interactive program with students in our area. Having him take the bull by the horns to assist with the development of this program is also going to provide him with the skill sets that he is looking to improve upon in terms of technical grant writing and building local community partnerships, much like EPCAMR has done for decades. I’m more than happy to teach him the ropes and provide him with the tools of the trade in our profession. We’re also going to work with Wilkes University’s Art Department, Green Dog Pottery, Misericordia University, and hopefully some local art studios and galleries that we’ve worked with in the past. We eventually would like to work with the students and local artists who might be interested in creating pottery that we could sell online and have a portion of the proceeds go to benefit our organization and our environmental education and outreach initiatives. I’m hoping that Frank can help turn this into a fundraiser for EPCAMR and we can host a “Green Drinks Event” in downtown Wilkes-Barre, at Bart & Urby’s in the future to kick off some sales of mugs or flagons to start drawing some attention and interest to our work!”
EPCAMR Fish Magnets from our 15th Anniversary Dinner made from our iron oxide glazes
Frank Knorek joins EPCAMR as a Volunteer Community Development Coordinator charged with developing a Ceramic/Pottery AMD & Art Program for EPCAMR
Mugs made from iron oxide
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