PROFESSIONALS
Dane Higbee
Principal
Dane brings in-depth analytical and writing skills to Delta’s team. At Delta, Dane assists the Community Planning and Funding teams with delivering accurate and client-oriented deliverable products. Prior to joining Delta, he graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. As a student at Indiana, he was able to amass skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, data research, report writing, and GIS mapping. Dane also has insight into the public planning process through his internship with Franklin County, Pennsylvania’s Planning Department.
Principal
Dane brings in-depth analytical and writing skills to Delta’s team. At Delta, Dane assists the Community Planning and Funding teams with delivering accurate and client-oriented deliverable products. Prior to joining Delta, he graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. As a student at Indiana, he was able to amass skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, data research, report writing, and GIS mapping. Dane also has insight into the public planning process through his internship with Franklin County, Pennsylvania’s Planning Department.
Maggie Roby
Principal
Maggie Roby is an Economic Development Principal at Delta Development Group, Inc., where she combines expertise in strategic funding, grant management, and data analysis to support sustainable community and economic development. Maggie has successfully secured significant local, state, and federal funding across diverse sectors, including transportation, public safety, affordable housing, and recreation. With a strong background in economic theory and data analysis, Maggie is skilled at assessing complex funding needs, analyzing economic impacts, and aligning grant opportunities with community priorities. Beyond grant acquisition, she provides essential support in compliance monitoring and fund drawdowns, ensuring resources are used efficiently and meet regulatory requirements.
Principal
Maggie Roby is an Economic Development Principal at Delta Development Group, Inc., where she combines expertise in strategic funding, grant management, and data analysis to support sustainable community and economic development. Maggie has successfully secured significant local, state, and federal funding across diverse sectors, including transportation, public safety, affordable housing, and recreation. With a strong background in economic theory and data analysis, Maggie is skilled at assessing complex funding needs, analyzing economic impacts, and aligning grant opportunities with community priorities. Beyond grant acquisition, she provides essential support in compliance monitoring and fund drawdowns, ensuring resources are used efficiently and meet regulatory requirements.
Christian Muniz
Principal
Christian joins Delta Development Group after more than 20 years of public and private sector experience focused on Pennsylvania state government. Over that time, his work for clients has included community and economic development incentives, tax and pension reform, and a multitude of legislative policies. He brings project management and leadership skills to the service of Delta’s clients. Most recently, Christian served as a contract lobbyist with Pugliese Associates. Within state government, he served as a legislative staffer to a former House leader and later as the Legislative Director at the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) under former Governor Ed Rendell. Christian is a Navy veteran, having served as a cryptologist from 1988 through 1994. Today he also volunteers his time as an appointed Planning Commissioner for Carlisle Borough.
Principal
Christian joins Delta Development Group after more than 20 years of public and private sector experience focused on Pennsylvania state government. Over that time, his work for clients has included community and economic development incentives, tax and pension reform, and a multitude of legislative policies. He brings project management and leadership skills to the service of Delta’s clients. Most recently, Christian served as a contract lobbyist with Pugliese Associates. Within state government, he served as a legislative staffer to a former House leader and later as the Legislative Director at the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) under former Governor Ed Rendell. Christian is a Navy veteran, having served as a cryptologist from 1988 through 1994. Today he also volunteers his time as an appointed Planning Commissioner for Carlisle Borough.
Trent Miller
Senior Consultant
As a Senior Consultant for Delta, Trent focuses on community and economic development initiatives for a diverse range of clients. He has extensive experience navigating state and federal funding programs, specializing in securing grants and loans for infrastructure, transportation, and economic development projects. Since joining Delta, Trent has worked with municipalities, state agencies, and private sector clients to develop funding strategies, coordinate grant applications, and advocate for critical projects. His expertise includes project development, econometric modeling, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and grant compliance, ensuring successful outcomes for clients across Pennsylvania.
Senior Consultant
As a Senior Consultant for Delta, Trent focuses on community and economic development initiatives for a diverse range of clients. He has extensive experience navigating state and federal funding programs, specializing in securing grants and loans for infrastructure, transportation, and economic development projects. Since joining Delta, Trent has worked with municipalities, state agencies, and private sector clients to develop funding strategies, coordinate grant applications, and advocate for critical projects. His expertise includes project development, econometric modeling, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and grant compliance, ensuring successful outcomes for clients across Pennsylvania.
Luke Galyen
Senior Consultant
Luke brings research, analytical, and bilingual communication skills to Delta’s team. At Delta, Luke assists
Delta's funding team, working collaboratively with clients on implementation of economic development strategies as well as researching federal and state economic development programs and assisting with the completion of comprehensive grant proposals and loan applications. Before becoming a part of Delta’s team, Luke graduated with degrees in Politics and Economics from Messiah University. The combination of these majors allowed him to develop a range of skills including writing, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and an understanding of political and economic systems. Luke also participated in multiple internships while in college. During these internships, he applied his research skills to produce a presentation on financial centers for the Director of Clearing and Risk for the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and to provide an overview of the history of how derivatives have been regulated in the United States. Luke has also worked with PA property tax data.
Senior Consultant
Luke brings research, analytical, and bilingual communication skills to Delta’s team. At Delta, Luke assists
Delta's funding team, working collaboratively with clients on implementation of economic development strategies as well as researching federal and state economic development programs and assisting with the completion of comprehensive grant proposals and loan applications. Before becoming a part of Delta’s team, Luke graduated with degrees in Politics and Economics from Messiah University. The combination of these majors allowed him to develop a range of skills including writing, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and an understanding of political and economic systems. Luke also participated in multiple internships while in college. During these internships, he applied his research skills to produce a presentation on financial centers for the Director of Clearing and Risk for the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and to provide an overview of the history of how derivatives have been regulated in the United States. Luke has also worked with PA property tax data.
Dr. Kent Trachte
Higher education advisory services
With more than 40 years of leadership in higher education, Dr. Trachte served as the 15th President of Lycoming College from 2013 to 2025, where he led two strategic plans that raised the institution’s academic reputation, forged strong community partnerships and transformed the physical campus. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Franklin & Marshall College. He has extensive experience with strategic planning, higher education governance, and accreditation. He served on regional and national higher education boards, including the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania and the NCAA Division III Presidents Council as well as community boards including the United Way, the Community Arts Center and the Water & Sanitary Authority. Now with Delta Development Group, Dr. Trachte will provide advisory services to college presidents and support institutions in securing public funding to advance their strategic priorities.
Higher education advisory services
With more than 40 years of leadership in higher education, Dr. Trachte served as the 15th President of Lycoming College from 2013 to 2025, where he led two strategic plans that raised the institution’s academic reputation, forged strong community partnerships and transformed the physical campus. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Franklin & Marshall College. He has extensive experience with strategic planning, higher education governance, and accreditation. He served on regional and national higher education boards, including the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania and the NCAA Division III Presidents Council as well as community boards including the United Way, the Community Arts Center and the Water & Sanitary Authority. Now with Delta Development Group, Dr. Trachte will provide advisory services to college presidents and support institutions in securing public funding to advance their strategic priorities.
Ryan Godard
Senior Consultant
Ryan has a wide range of experience in the emergency planning and disaster readiness field with a focus in crisis planning. Prior to joining Delta, Ryan interned with the Loyalsock Township School District. In this position he planned, guided, and evaluated an HSEEP-consistent, full-scale exercise with the school district to test evacuation and accountability procedures during a massive structure fire that forced students and teachers to move to a secondary location. A debriefing with senior leadership allowed for an assessment of the drill and strategies to improve the existing plan. With extensive experience in military training, Ryan is currently a member of the PA Army National Guard PAANG, 28th ECAB, Officer In-Charge (OIC) of Force Protection and Physical Security. He oversees, plans, updates, and develops Brigade Hazard Vulnerability Assessments, Threat Assessments, Anti-Terrorism Assessments and Training, and Emergency Management functions.
Senior Consultant
Ryan has a wide range of experience in the emergency planning and disaster readiness field with a focus in crisis planning. Prior to joining Delta, Ryan interned with the Loyalsock Township School District. In this position he planned, guided, and evaluated an HSEEP-consistent, full-scale exercise with the school district to test evacuation and accountability procedures during a massive structure fire that forced students and teachers to move to a secondary location. A debriefing with senior leadership allowed for an assessment of the drill and strategies to improve the existing plan. With extensive experience in military training, Ryan is currently a member of the PA Army National Guard PAANG, 28th ECAB, Officer In-Charge (OIC) of Force Protection and Physical Security. He oversees, plans, updates, and develops Brigade Hazard Vulnerability Assessments, Threat Assessments, Anti-Terrorism Assessments and Training, and Emergency Management functions.
Delaney Schilling
Senior Consultant
Delaney brings knowledge and experience in emergency management and Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning to the Disaster Preparedness Solutions (DPS) team. Delaney currently holds the Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) Certification from the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) and the Continuity of Operations Excellence Series- Level I Professional Continuity Practitioner Certification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In addition to her COOP work at Delta, Delaney has worked on Emergency Operations Plan writing, program management, and HSEEP consistent exercise design, development, and evaluation. Her experience comes from her time earning a degree in Emergency Management from the Pennsylvania College of Technology and her time working at Delta. Delaney understands the importance of and continuously promotes inclusive planning for the Access and Functional Needs (AFN) community.
Senior Consultant
Delaney brings knowledge and experience in emergency management and Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning to the Disaster Preparedness Solutions (DPS) team. Delaney currently holds the Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) Certification from the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) and the Continuity of Operations Excellence Series- Level I Professional Continuity Practitioner Certification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In addition to her COOP work at Delta, Delaney has worked on Emergency Operations Plan writing, program management, and HSEEP consistent exercise design, development, and evaluation. Her experience comes from her time earning a degree in Emergency Management from the Pennsylvania College of Technology and her time working at Delta. Delaney understands the importance of and continuously promotes inclusive planning for the Access and Functional Needs (AFN) community.
Patrick O'Toole
Consultant
With a background in public health, Patrick (Pat) provides expertise in public health research and analysis coupled with practical healthcare experience. His background includes key areas such as public health emergency preparedness, regulatory processes, and governmental affairs. He has completed extensive research monitoring and interpreting state and federal policy, working closely with government agencies. Prior to joining Delta, Patrick worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation as a quality assurance specialist in the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health Office of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Immunization. As part of the Office of Epidemiology, Patrick was trained in infectious disease public health preparedness. As a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, Patrick collaborated on a team to conduct academic research in the field of legal epidemiology. The research aimed to create a treatment model that governments could use to reduce mortality and morbidity in individuals with substance use disorders. During his time developing this project, Patrick closely followed federal and state policies, as well as directly aided legislators, court officials, and Department of Corrections officials.
Consultant
With a background in public health, Patrick (Pat) provides expertise in public health research and analysis coupled with practical healthcare experience. His background includes key areas such as public health emergency preparedness, regulatory processes, and governmental affairs. He has completed extensive research monitoring and interpreting state and federal policy, working closely with government agencies. Prior to joining Delta, Patrick worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation as a quality assurance specialist in the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health Office of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Immunization. As part of the Office of Epidemiology, Patrick was trained in infectious disease public health preparedness. As a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, Patrick collaborated on a team to conduct academic research in the field of legal epidemiology. The research aimed to create a treatment model that governments could use to reduce mortality and morbidity in individuals with substance use disorders. During his time developing this project, Patrick closely followed federal and state policies, as well as directly aided legislators, court officials, and Department of Corrections officials.
Crystal Spence
Consultant
Crystal posses over 20 years of continuous leadership and management experience in the disciplines of health services and education and training. With her extensive military background in the United States Air Force, Crystal brings experience in disease and disability education, care, and evaluation of nursing care. In addition, she has provided disaster training for medical and non-medical personnel, and has obtained intermediate to expert fluency with programs associated with various medical systems.
Consultant
Crystal posses over 20 years of continuous leadership and management experience in the disciplines of health services and education and training. With her extensive military background in the United States Air Force, Crystal brings experience in disease and disability education, care, and evaluation of nursing care. In addition, she has provided disaster training for medical and non-medical personnel, and has obtained intermediate to expert fluency with programs associated with various medical systems.
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Megan Zepiora
Consultant Megan brings economic research and analytical skills to Delta Development Group. Megan works with the Community Planning and Funding teams to write comprehensive grant proposals and conduct research for studies. Prior to joining Delta, Megan graduated from Messiah University with a degree in Economics and minors in Mathematics and International Business, equipping her with skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis. As a part of an economic development club on campus, she worked closely with domestic and international non-profit and economic development organizations to aid in their operations and growth. For her senior honors research project, Megan conducted extensive research on the potential viability and efficacy of savings groups in shantytowns. |
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RJ Collins
Consultant
RJ brings economic analysis, research, and grant writing skills to Delta Development. RJ works alongside both the Funding and Planning Services teams to produce comprehensive grant proposals for a variety of projects and programs. He also frequently conducts research on new federal, state, and local grant opportunities that could benefit current and future clients. RJ graduated with a B.A. in Economic Development from Messiah University and a minor in Sustainability Studies. During his time at Messiah, he actively engaged in various volunteer and leadership roles on campus, including participating in the Economic Empowerment Group, a student-run club that provides technical and writing assistance to development and aid organizations around the world.
Consultant
RJ brings economic analysis, research, and grant writing skills to Delta Development. RJ works alongside both the Funding and Planning Services teams to produce comprehensive grant proposals for a variety of projects and programs. He also frequently conducts research on new federal, state, and local grant opportunities that could benefit current and future clients. RJ graduated with a B.A. in Economic Development from Messiah University and a minor in Sustainability Studies. During his time at Messiah, he actively engaged in various volunteer and leadership roles on campus, including participating in the Economic Empowerment Group, a student-run club that provides technical and writing assistance to development and aid organizations around the world.
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Kiersten Layton
Consultant Kiersten brings a strong background in strategic fundraising and project management to Delta Development Group, where she supports the Community & Economic Development Services team through grant development, funding strategy, and project coordination. She has helped secure over $2 million in funding for nonprofit organizations and is experienced in managing projects from planning through execution while navigating compliance and stakeholder coordination. Prior to joining Delta, she served as Contracts and Project Coordinator for Pennsylvania Cable Network and previously held roles as a Development Specialist and Legislative Assistant with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Kiersten lives in Juniata County, where she leads The Jared Box Project of Juniata County, providing toys to local hospitalized children. |
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