Ben Franklin News
The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP) has announced the appointment of Melanie A. Kohler as Chief Technology Officer. Kohler will succeed Aaron B. Balch, who will retire on June 30, 2021.
In her new role, Kohler will identify, support, and oversee the information technology (IT) infrastructure for the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania and its business technology incubators, Ben Franklin TechVentures® and the Bloomsburg Regional Technology Center. She will explore innovative IT approaches and improvements for BFTP/NEP and its incubator companies, lead the IT staff, manage technology vendor relationships, and serve on BFTP/NEP’s leadership team, reporting to President and CEO Angelo J. Valletta
Kohler has more than 20 years of diverse and increasing responsibility in leading and managing information technology teams, strategic planning, and ongoing process improvement. She has implemented several enterprise systems and has extensive experience with technical infrastructure design and maintenance, and vendor negotiations.
Kohler was the Director of Information Technology at Living Branches in Souderton. Prior to that, she was the Senior Director, Technology and Service at LeadingAge PA, Mechanicsburg. She served as Director of Information Technology for Phoebe Services, Allentown, for 13 years, and went on to launch and lead its new company service line, Pathstones by Phoebe, as its Executive Director.
“We thank Aaron Balch for his 20+ years of outstanding work and are delighted to welcome Melanie Kohler as Ben Franklin’s new Chief Technology Officer,” said Valletta. “Melanie brings comprehensive IT experience and a positive and forward-thinking attitude that will continue to help Ben Franklin staff streamline our work through technology.”
Kohler earned an MBA in Management from DeSales University and a BS in Business/Healthcare Administration from Cedar Crest College. She attained Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt Certification from Purdue University. Kohler lives in the Lehigh Valley with her husband.
