PEOPLE: PROFESSIONALS
Louis P. Roth, MPA
Director of Government Relations
Lou manages the firm’s state and federal government relations practice area. His brings unique insight and perspective to the legislative process and is adept at simplifying complex legislative issues. Prior to his time at Delta, Lou worked for Holston & Associates, a government relations firm located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He also worked in a variety of roles for U.S. Representative George Gekas in Washington, D.C.
Director of Government Relations
Lou manages the firm’s state and federal government relations practice area. His brings unique insight and perspective to the legislative process and is adept at simplifying complex legislative issues. Prior to his time at Delta, Lou worked for Holston & Associates, a government relations firm located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He also worked in a variety of roles for U.S. Representative George Gekas in Washington, D.C.
Dane Higbee
Principal
Dane brings in-depth analytical and writing skills to Delta’s team. At Delta, Dane assists the Community & Economic Planning and Private 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 & Economic Planning and Private 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 McGahen
Principal
Maggie brings a thorough understanding of economic theory and modeling approaches, combined with in-depth analytical and critical thinking skills to Delta’s team. She has a deep understanding of economic data and the appropriate methods of analysis to interpret data. Prior to joining Delta she graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and interned at the 41st National Presidential Nominating Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. She also served as a Congressional Office intern for the United States House of Representatives and as a Congressional Committee intern for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, specifically in the subcommittee of the Coast Guard and Maritime. During the summer of 2018, Maggie assisted the economic development team for her hometown to revitalize their main street, where she gained hands-on experience and understanding on adapting and implementing new ideas.
Principal
Maggie brings a thorough understanding of economic theory and modeling approaches, combined with in-depth analytical and critical thinking skills to Delta’s team. She has a deep understanding of economic data and the appropriate methods of analysis to interpret data. Prior to joining Delta she graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and interned at the 41st National Presidential Nominating Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. She also served as a Congressional Office intern for the United States House of Representatives and as a Congressional Committee intern for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, specifically in the subcommittee of the Coast Guard and Maritime. During the summer of 2018, Maggie assisted the economic development team for her hometown to revitalize their main street, where she gained hands-on experience and understanding on adapting and implementing new ideas.
Robert W. Ross
Senior Consultant, Disaster Preparedness
Bob manages and guides Delta's Disaster Preparedness practice area. His range of project experience includes management of the Pennsylvania Department of Health in its response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, assessing the Delaware Division of Public Health’s response to Hurricane Sandy, and developing medical needs shelter plans for nine southern New Jersey counties. Previously, Bob was the Administrator for the Public Health Preparedness Section of the Delaware Division of Public Health. He also spent several years working for a homeland security consulting firm in Washington D.C. and has served as a county-level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Training Officer and an EMS Training Coordinator for the State of Delaware.
Senior Consultant, Disaster Preparedness
Bob manages and guides Delta's Disaster Preparedness practice area. His range of project experience includes management of the Pennsylvania Department of Health in its response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, assessing the Delaware Division of Public Health’s response to Hurricane Sandy, and developing medical needs shelter plans for nine southern New Jersey counties. Previously, Bob was the Administrator for the Public Health Preparedness Section of the Delaware Division of Public Health. He also spent several years working for a homeland security consulting firm in Washington D.C. and has served as a county-level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Training Officer and an EMS Training Coordinator for the State of Delaware.
Lynn Colosi
Senior Consultant, Transit Services
Lynn leads Delta’s team of transit professionals with project initiatives ranging from Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) plans to route planning. Lynn started her transit career at the Port Authority of Allegheny County, spending 15 years working in the areas of operations, planning, and real estate. Prior to joining Delta, she and her partners ran Clear View Strategies, a boutique public transportation consulting firm.
Senior Consultant, Transit Services
Lynn leads Delta’s team of transit professionals with project initiatives ranging from Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) plans to route planning. Lynn started her transit career at the Port Authority of Allegheny County, spending 15 years working in the areas of operations, planning, and real estate. Prior to joining Delta, she and her partners ran Clear View Strategies, a boutique public transportation consulting firm.
Christian Muniz
Senior Consultant
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.
Senior Consultant
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.
Charles Aaron
Senior Consultant
Charles (Chuck) Aaron provides experience in state level emergency operations management and healthcare emergency management. He has designed, developed, and delivered, from conception through the after-action process, over 30 exercises focused on critical infrastructure preparedness to natural hazards, communications disruptions, active shooter and workplace violence, emergency operations center drills, intra-agency communication and coordination, and a FEMA Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) capstone workshop/exercise with a concentration in hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery in collaboration with FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute. He has developed multiple healthcare-centric annual hazard vulnerability assessments (HVAs), with an all-hazards focus encompassing the key elements of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Chuck’s professional background includes serving as Administrator of the Emergency Operations Center with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Emergency Management Coordinator with ChristianaCare, an Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic with Uwchlan Ambulance Corps, and Good Fellowship Ambulance and Training Institute in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Chuck served 14 years in the U.S. Marine Corps Infantry, including three years serving as a Warfighting Instructor at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.
Senior Consultant
Charles (Chuck) Aaron provides experience in state level emergency operations management and healthcare emergency management. He has designed, developed, and delivered, from conception through the after-action process, over 30 exercises focused on critical infrastructure preparedness to natural hazards, communications disruptions, active shooter and workplace violence, emergency operations center drills, intra-agency communication and coordination, and a FEMA Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) capstone workshop/exercise with a concentration in hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery in collaboration with FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute. He has developed multiple healthcare-centric annual hazard vulnerability assessments (HVAs), with an all-hazards focus encompassing the key elements of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Chuck’s professional background includes serving as Administrator of the Emergency Operations Center with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Emergency Management Coordinator with ChristianaCare, an Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic with Uwchlan Ambulance Corps, and Good Fellowship Ambulance and Training Institute in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Chuck served 14 years in the U.S. Marine Corps Infantry, including three years serving as a Warfighting Instructor at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.
Trent Miller
Senior Consultant
Trent brings an understanding of community and economic development practices and principles and has experience with both state and federal funding opportunities through both grants and loans. At Delta, Trent assists the Development and Planning Services teams, working with clients to obtain public funding for a variety of projects. Prior to joining Delta, Trent interned with Altoona Blair County Development Corporation, or ABCD Corp., in Altoona, Pennsylvania where he focused on grant writing/coordination, in order to secure funding for local projects. He also collaborated with local leaders and elected officials to ensure sustainable and equitable growth throughout Blair County and other surrounding counties.
Senior Consultant
Trent brings an understanding of community and economic development practices and principles and has experience with both state and federal funding opportunities through both grants and loans. At Delta, Trent assists the Development and Planning Services teams, working with clients to obtain public funding for a variety of projects. Prior to joining Delta, Trent interned with Altoona Blair County Development Corporation, or ABCD Corp., in Altoona, Pennsylvania where he focused on grant writing/coordination, in order to secure funding for local projects. He also collaborated with local leaders and elected officials to ensure sustainable and equitable growth throughout Blair County and other surrounding counties.
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.
Michael Owens
Consultant
With his background in medicine and public health, Michael (Mike) is a key player on the disaster preparedness solutions team. Michael interned with the Dayton Metropolitan Medical Response System (DMMRS) where he was involved in the development of Quickdrill information presentations for first responders at the beginning of COVID-19. These presentations provided pertinent pathogen information along with recommended safety measures conveyed to the public. Michael also participated in the development of After-Action Reports (AAR) and Improvement Plans (IP) for tabletop and full-scale mass casualty incident exercises for DMMRS, Wilson Memorial Hospital, Wilson Health, Quincy EMS, Perry Point-Salem Rescue, Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association, Southwest Ohio Regional Trauma System, and City of Sidney: Fire, Police, and County Sheriff.
Consultant
With his background in medicine and public health, Michael (Mike) is a key player on the disaster preparedness solutions team. Michael interned with the Dayton Metropolitan Medical Response System (DMMRS) where he was involved in the development of Quickdrill information presentations for first responders at the beginning of COVID-19. These presentations provided pertinent pathogen information along with recommended safety measures conveyed to the public. Michael also participated in the development of After-Action Reports (AAR) and Improvement Plans (IP) for tabletop and full-scale mass casualty incident exercises for DMMRS, Wilson Memorial Hospital, Wilson Health, Quincy EMS, Perry Point-Salem Rescue, Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association, Southwest Ohio Regional Trauma System, and City of Sidney: Fire, Police, and County Sheriff.
Brandyn Smith
Consultant
Brandyn has a keen understanding of economic theory and data analytics that is coupled with his extensive knowledge of funding opportunities through the Commonwealth grants and loans. Brandyn worked for the Governor's Center for Local Government Services within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development where he administered the Municipal Assistance Program and the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act. Brandyn was a key player in the development of the Early Warning System that compiles financial, demographic, and socio-economic indicators of financial distress as a means of being proactive against distress before it reaches significant levels of concern.
Consultant
Brandyn has a keen understanding of economic theory and data analytics that is coupled with his extensive knowledge of funding opportunities through the Commonwealth grants and loans. Brandyn worked for the Governor's Center for Local Government Services within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development where he administered the Municipal Assistance Program and the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act. Brandyn was a key player in the development of the Early Warning System that compiles financial, demographic, and socio-economic indicators of financial distress as a means of being proactive against distress before it reaches significant levels of concern.
Luke Galyen
Consultant
Luke brings research, analytical, and bilingual communication skills to Delta’s team. At Delta, Luke assists
the Development Services 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.
Consultant
Luke brings research, analytical, and bilingual communication skills to Delta’s team. At Delta, Luke assists
the Development Services 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.
Ryan Godard
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.
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
Consultant
Delaney has a safety, health, and environmental background for chemical facilities. She is also passionate about emergency planning for Persons with Access and Functional Needs (PAFN), specifically the deaf/hard of hearing population. Before joining Delta, Delaney interned with Croda, a chemical facility located in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania. Croda specializes in the manufacturing of consumer care and life sciences products. She was on the Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) team where she was responsible for creating a crisis communications plan, revising the Emergency Response Plan (ERP), as well as learning more about the occupational safety side of the workplace. Delaney has participated in several trainings and exercises that relates to her work at Delta. She participated in an A.L.I.C.E. Active Shooter training at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. She joined her classmates acting as victims of an active shooter incident at the college. She was involved in an active shooter simulation at the Evangelical Hospital in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania as well. The purpose of this training was to prepare hospital staff for an active shooter incident and to teach them methods of deterring the assailant from their patient rooms.
Consultant
Delaney has a safety, health, and environmental background for chemical facilities. She is also passionate about emergency planning for Persons with Access and Functional Needs (PAFN), specifically the deaf/hard of hearing population. Before joining Delta, Delaney interned with Croda, a chemical facility located in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania. Croda specializes in the manufacturing of consumer care and life sciences products. She was on the Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) team where she was responsible for creating a crisis communications plan, revising the Emergency Response Plan (ERP), as well as learning more about the occupational safety side of the workplace. Delaney has participated in several trainings and exercises that relates to her work at Delta. She participated in an A.L.I.C.E. Active Shooter training at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. She joined her classmates acting as victims of an active shooter incident at the college. She was involved in an active shooter simulation at the Evangelical Hospital in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania as well. The purpose of this training was to prepare hospital staff for an active shooter incident and to teach them methods of deterring the assailant from their patient rooms.
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.
William Lewis
Consultant
William (Will) contributes a varied skill set comprised of economic research, environmental research, and econometric analysis to Delta Development Group. Will works with the Community & Economic Planning and Development Services teams to write support letters, create comprehensive grant proposals, and conduct econometric analysis of local communities. A graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS), with a double major in economics and geoscience, Will spent several years as a research assistant working at HWS. Will identified interaction between stationary fronts and lake effect snow bands. Will identified a relationship between microplastics in precipitation and the atmospheric boundary layer, helping the microplastic research team to enact one of the first storm by storm analysis of microplastics in precipitation. On the econometrics side, Will completed a self-driven senior honors project analyzing the relationship between race and home environmental quality. Through this analysis Will learned econometric techniques like Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition. Previously, Will had completed a county level analysis quantifying the effect of landfills on home values.
Consultant
William (Will) contributes a varied skill set comprised of economic research, environmental research, and econometric analysis to Delta Development Group. Will works with the Community & Economic Planning and Development Services teams to write support letters, create comprehensive grant proposals, and conduct econometric analysis of local communities. A graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS), with a double major in economics and geoscience, Will spent several years as a research assistant working at HWS. Will identified interaction between stationary fronts and lake effect snow bands. Will identified a relationship between microplastics in precipitation and the atmospheric boundary layer, helping the microplastic research team to enact one of the first storm by storm analysis of microplastics in precipitation. On the econometrics side, Will completed a self-driven senior honors project analyzing the relationship between race and home environmental quality. Through this analysis Will learned econometric techniques like Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition. Previously, Will had completed a county level analysis quantifying the effect of landfills on home values.
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Megan Zepiora
Consultant Megan brings economic research and analytical skills to Delta Development Group. Megan works with the Community & Economic Planning and Development Services 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 Development 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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