Prospectus Berco is welcoming four new members to its Board of Directors: Dr. Amanda Cipolla, Ed.D; Robert Rice, Jr., Esq., CPA, CVA, CGMA; Michel deTurck, semi-retired architect with STV, Inc.; and Thomas J. Wentzel, Co-Owner of Boyertown Planing Mill Company. Jody Wagner, Chief Executive Officer, said “the new members will have a significant role in helping to shape the organization over the next couple of years.”
Amanda Cipolla, Ed.D., is an educational consultant with Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN). Dr. Cipolla has dedicated 18 years to education in the areas of special education, elementary education, Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTII), and leadership. Immediately before going to PaTTAN, she served as Assistant Superintendent for a public school in Berks County. Dr. Cipolla’s credentials include Pennsylvania certifications in elementary education, special education, reading specialist certification, principal certification, Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership.
C. Robert Rice, Jr., Esq., CPA, CVA, CGMA, is an attorney, Certified Public Accountant, and the founding member of an Exeter Township accounting firm with tax planning, preparation, and compliance services for individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. His firm’s expertise also includes business consultation from initial startup to long-term and transition planning. Mr. Rice earned a law degree from Temple Law School, a master’s in business administration from Lehigh University, and a bachelor’s degree in Math & Business Economics from Albright College. He is also a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA), and Licensed Insurance Advisor. He serves on the Board of Directors of Barracks Fresh Start Recovery and Teachers-in-the-Parks. Mr. Rice was the former Treasurer of the Berks County Bar Association and recipient of the Berks County Bar Association Presidential Award of Merit (2012). Current memberships include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), Berks County Bar Association (BCBA), Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA), Berks Leads Group, National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). Mr. Rice resides in Exeter Township with his wife and business partner, Juliette, and their daughter, Chloe.
Michael deTurck is a semi-retired architect with STV, Inc. and has extensive experience in a variety of building types, including higher education, high security (top secret) facilities, institutional facilities, and commercial facilities. Mr. deTurck previously served on Prospectus Berco’s Board of Directors from 1999-2004 and 2006-2009 and is a former Board President and Vice President. He also served on the Property Committee from 1999-2009, chairing the Committee from 2000-2002, and served on Property during the purchase and renovation of the William Lane building in Reading. Mr. deTurck is the father of two grown sons and his interests include playing the piano, riding his motorcycle, travel, and reading.
Thomas J. Wentzel, is VP and co-owner of Boyertown Planing Mill Company, an architectural millwork company formed in 1913, which he and his wife Susan purchased in 2006. A lifelong resident of Berks County, Mr. Wentzel graduated from the former Holy Name High School and the Berks Career and Technology carpentry and cabinetmaking program. He started his carpentry career with Creative Kitchens and then started his own carpentry and remodeling business from 1978-1985. After working in the Philadelphia area, he opened a commercial construction company, Tom Wentzel Company, until 2012. Working at the Boyertown Planing Mill brought Mr. Wentzel back to his love of cabinetmaking, wood, and woodworking. He works with one of his sons who shares the same passion for wood and woodworking. Mr. Wentzel has volunteered in his church as church consistory member and president and served as a community volunteer as a firefighter and boy scout leader. He lives in Wyomissing with his wife Susan and their dog George. Tom and his wife have two sons, Joshua and Jacob, and three granddaughters and one grandson.
