John Thomas - President/CEO John Thomas arrived in April 1984 to become the Executive Director of the United Way of Columbia County which covers all of Columbia County with the exception of Briar Creek Borough and Township, Mifflin Township and the Borough of Berwick.

During those 20+ years Mr. Thomas has helped local volunteers to grow the United Way by almost three times, from $182,705 to $543,727 in 2006 by involving all segments of the Columbia County community, business, manufacturing, education and public service.

The United Way boasts a model Leadership Giving Program – The Susquehanna Society, is known for its unique supplemental fundraisers – the Icicle Classic Golf Tournament, Trash-To-Treasure and their Celebrity Auction – and developed the Community Fund which allows community groups and neighborhood organizations to benefit from the United Way’s fund raising efforts.

Recognized throughout the State as an elder statesman among his United Way peers, he served two terms on the Board of the United Way of Pennsylvania. He is credited for having applied the United Way of America’s State of Caring Index to Columbia County with the publication of “The United Way State of Caring Index…2005 Columbia County Report”.

Locally he serves as a charter member of the Columbia County Human Service Coalition and a charter member of the SOLVE Advisory Board at Bloomsburg University. After a tragic fire that claimed the lives of 5 students, he volunteered to serve on a Taskforce on Student Housing that brought about recommendations leading to significant changes in the off campus housing of University students.

He served on the Publicity Committee of the Bloomsburg Area Fire Station capital campaign and Co-Chaired the Special Events Committee for the 2002 Bloomsburg Bicentennial.

Thomas resides in Bloomsburg with his wife of over 30 years, Maryla. He is a member of St. Columba Parish and is active in the Bloomsburg Rotary Club (a Paul Harris Fellow) where he currently serves as Advisor to the Interact Club of Columbia County

Mr. Thomas holds an undergraduate degree in Community Development and a Masters of Public Administration both from Pennsylvania State University. He enlisted in the United States Air Force 1965-1969 rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant and spent the final year of his enlistment in Thailand.

Connie Ryan - Office Services Manager - Connie has been with the United Way for 18 years, starting as a part-time employee in 1989, and has been full time since 1995. 

She was born in Danville and has resided in Elysburg for the past 29 years with her husband, Michael.  They have been married for over 35 years and have two children and two grandchildren.

Connie is a member of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Elysburg and has been an active member of the Ralpho Area Woman's Club for over 20 years and is the current President.