It’s a new year, which means new leadership for the Feasterville Business Association, which boasts a 71-year-old mission to encourage growth and progress for the betterment of the community.
Last week, it was announced that former FBA vice president Fran Mishinkash, branch manager of American Heritage Credit Union on Street Road in Feasterville, has been elected president. He replaces Charles Roman, a licensed funeral director, who is taking up a position as a director on the executive board.
On the heels of his promotion, The Times caught up with Mishinkash, who is ecstatic about earning this coveted role. According to Mishinkash, serving as FBA president goes hand-in-hand with working for American Heritage Credit Union, which also places high importance on giving back to the community – it regularly serves as lead sponsor of Playwicki Farm’s Second Fridays series in Feasterville.
“I’m thrilled that they want me to help lead this organization. I’m very excited for the opportunity mainly because I like what they do in the community,” he said. “The fact that this organization is so involved with the community, I thought that was great. I like what they do for the people of the Feasterville and Lower Southampton areas as well as the businesses.”
Mishinkash, a former Trevose resident who currently lives in Levittown, has worked for American Heritage Credit Union for 10 years, and has been a member of the FBA since 2017.
“I was trying to get myself out there and network a little bit, so I went to one or two of their meetings,” he said. “And then just seeing what they do as far as stuff within the community and for some of our businesses in the area, I thought it was a great organization to be a part of.”
After a year of membership, Mishinkash joined the FBA’s board of directors and, in 2019, served as vice president. He was nominated for the position of president in October, with voting taking place at the end of November.
As he enters into his one-year term of leadership, Mishinkash has a few goals on the agenda.
“I’m hoping just to keep the tradition that we have with the Feasterville Business Association going. There’s a lot of great things that have been in place since before I even started in the organization. I want to maintain what we do,” he said, adding how he also hopes to incorporate new initiatives, such as a bigger social media presence.
Favorite FBA traditions include an annual golf outing in July and Easter egg hunt in April, both of which generate funds that are donated to local nonprofits and charities, and awarded as scholarships to area students. Another standout for Mishinkash is the Blue Light tree lighting ceremony at the Lower Southampton Library, which honors fallen police officers each holiday season.
“That’s one of the events that I think is great that we’re a part of,” he said. “It’s a shame that we have to have that event, but I’m glad we’re an organization that at least recognizes those officers.”
Moving forward, Mishinkash stressed that the FBA is looking to expand, and is always open to new members.
“We would love for any of the businesses in the area to come and check us out, see what we’re about and meet with us to hopefully grow our center of influence to more members and reach out to more of the community through some of these additional businesses,” he said.
Also elected to serve in 2020 were Karen Madotto, director of business development for Inspire Federal Credit Union, based in Langhorne and Newtown, as vice president; Dennis Markowitz, a private tax and business consultant in Langhorne, as treasurer; Tracy Freels, an auto parts representative for SRS Marketing Company, of Southampton, as financial secretary; Stu Coren, president of Rosen Coren Marketing and Public Relations in Langhorne, as recording secretary; Pradeep Kohli, financial center manager for Bank of America in Bensalem, as corresponding secretary; and Linda Pupkiewicz, retired assistant director of the Lower Southampton Library in Feasterville, as sergeant-at-arms.
Theodore Hauptman, Esq., of the Law Offices of Theodore Hauptman in Southampton, will serve as legal counsel for the FBA.
Those elected as directors on the executive board were Susan Harrison, co-owner of the Greater Philadelphia Abstract Company in Trevose; Michael Lesher, senior project manager for Regal Properties in Langhorne; Rick Tyrrell, owner of Cheese Dawgs Restaurant in Feasterville; Bill Weigman Jr., retired chief of police in Lower Southampton Township; Ron Hyman, owner of the Insurance Shop Inc. in Feasterville; and Coren.
For additional information or to join the FBA, email FeastervilleBA@gmail.com or visit feasterville.biz. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
