BETHESDA - Key Persons

Chad Dickson - CFO

cd..@bethesda1919.org

Job Titles:

Chief Financial Officer
Director of Finance
Member of Open Door Baptist Church

Chad Dickson has been the Director of Finance since February 2015. He has been with Bethesda in various capacities including Horticulture Intern, Behavior Support Staff, Mental Health Worker, and Staff Accountant before accepting the Director of Finance position. He is a 2002 graduate of Saegertown High School and a 2006 graduate of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Comprehensive Business Administration with a minor in Economics. While in college, he married his wife, Amanda, and they reside in Venango with their two daughters. At the age of 19, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Chad is an active member of Open Door Baptist Church.

Deana Burge - CHRO

db..@bethesda1919.org

Job Titles:

Director of Human Resources

Deana Burge is our current Director of Human Resources. Deana is a Gannon University Graduate with a degree as a paralegal. She worked for 26 years with the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County, the lead nonprofit economic development organization for Crawford County in a variety of roles. Deana came to Bethesda in 2018 as our Director of Human Resources. She oversees all aspects of Human Resources which include employee benefits, job recruitment, personnel issues and staff retention. Deana says that "Working for Bethesda has given me insight on circumstances and issues that affect at-risk youth in our region that I didn't know existed. I have the upmost regard for the almost 200 staff at Bethesda that patiently and selflessly work with the youth and I am proud to play a part in it." Deana serves as a board member on the Meadville Salvation Army's Advisory Board, has been a member of the Rotary Club of Meadville for 8 years, a Public Notary for 31 years and is a member of St. Anthony's of Padua Church in Cambridge Springs. In her free time, Deana and her husband enjoy traveling, camping, and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

George Trauner - CEO

gt..@bethesda1919.org

Job Titles:

Chief Executive Officer

George Trauner has been with Bethesda Lutheran Services for more than 23 years. Prior to being named CEO in August of 2015, he served as the Director of Operations for more than 14 years. When talking about the decision to name him as CEO, Pastor Scherr, Chairman of the Board of Directors, stated George's compassion for kids as well as his keen understanding of all aspects of regulatory and financial bodies as determining factors. "My experience and education have prepared me for my role as CEO and I am honored to have been selected for this position. For me, Bethesda has always been a place where kids feel safe and find the help they need. As the CEO of Bethesda, we will continue to strive for excellence in all that we do. Bethesda has a long history of offering some of the region's highest quality programs and services for children, youth, and families. My goal is to expand and grow the agency so that all Pennsylvania families will have access to the services we offer."

Jerrad Rimel - COO

jr..@bethesda1919.org

Job Titles:

Chief Operations Officer
Operations Director

As Operations Director, Jerrad oversees the day to day operations of the agency, which consists of approximately 175 employees. Before becoming the Operations Director, Jerrad served in the position of Director of Residential Services. Jerrad has held specialized certifications, such as Crisis Management Instructor, as well as participated in the Pennsylvania JCJC (Juvenile Court Judges Commission). Jerrad most recently was a member of a collaborative effort focusing on Permanency for Youth with the Annie E Casey Foundation and Lutheran Services in America.

Marci Dickson

md..@bethesda1919.org

Job Titles:

Administrative Assistant

Marci Dickson is the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of Bethesda Lutheran Services. Marci joined Bethesda Lutheran Services in 2007 after graduating from Edinboro University with a Bachelors of Arts in History. Prior to becoming the Administrative Assistant in 2016, Marci served as a Supervisor and a Child Care Counselor. Having served for almost nine years in the direct care side, Marci was eager to move to the administrative side. "I believe deeply in the mission of Bethesda Lutheran Services. After almost nine years working in the direct care aspect of Bethesda, it is exciting to work for the youth we serve from the administrative side." The proud parent of Casey and Elizabeth; Marci lives in Cambridge Springs with her husband Andrew. She is an active member of the First Christian Church in Meadville, a member of the Crawford County Historical Society, a novice gardener, and a self-described "bookworm."