Announces a new slate of officers for 2009
New Hope Celebrates (NHC), a registered nonprofit gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) tourism marketing organization, announces a new slate of officers for 2009. Daniel Brooks remains as president. Kevin LaMont is vice president. Lauren J. Weil is secretary. Robert Atkinson is treasurer and Al Troglio is member-at-large.
”Over the past six years, New Hope Celebrates has come a very long way in marketing Bucks County as a gay and lesbian travel destination,” explained Mr. Brooks. “In addition to sponsoring ambitious events such as the Pride Weekend (May 15-17) and advertising New Hope throughout the entire Northeast Corridor of the United States, NHC has given approximately $100,000 in proceeds back to local and national GLBT charities.”
Prior to his immersion in the New Hope community, Mr. Brooks had a 25-year sales and marketing career in New York’s fashion industry. He formed NHC in 2003 in efforts to heighten awareness of Bucks County’s tourism market after completing renovation of an old farmhouse into what is now the Wishing Well Guesthouse in New Hope. A previous editor of the New Hope Gazette, he remains in publishing and marketing as a “special section” freelance writer and advertising sales agent.
Mr. LaMont, of Doylestown, has professional experience in sales, operations / business process, as well as systems analysis, research and implementation. His lifetime appreciation of theater has kept him involved with performing, directing and producing plays in the Philadelphia and Bucks County area. He started with NHC in 2007 as their production manager for the “Saturday Night Showcase”; and in 2008, he held a similar role for “Sing Out Loud and Proud,” an annual fundraiser for Planned Parenthood of Bucks County’s Rainbow Room.
Ms. Weil, of New Hope, is leading the committee in charge of family activities for the annual Pride Weekend. She has worked for Educational Testing Service in Princeton for the past 18 years, currently as a director in their Global Division. She and her partner have two young daughters and are active volunteers for many school and local events.
Mr. Atkinson, of Upper Makefield, is a retired supervising accountant with the State of New Jersey specializing in Federal Grants. He is also a retired senior officer with the United States Army Reserve responsible for logistics. In addition to his role with NHC, he participates in various government, military and charitable organizations.
Mr. Troglio was born and raised in New York and moved to New Hope 13 years ago. A dedicated volunteer for such local organizations as the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce, FACT Bucks County and the SPCA, he has worked with NHC since the organization’s inception assisting with sponsorships, entertainment and staffing of events.
NHC 2009 Committee chairs include: New Hope Councilwoman Geri Delevich for “Friday Girls Night Out”; Michael Gardner for special events; Doug Hudak for the Vendor Fair; Cathy Lester for athletics/sports; Joseph McCabe for “Sing Out Loud & Proud”; Lorraine Raywood for Mechanic Street’s “Art on Parade”; Gary Scibelli for volunteer coordination; Robert Szwajkos, legal advisor; and Jennifer Wohl and Armando Llanes for the Penn Wealth Pride Parade.
Pride Weekend will feature entertainment by NT; dance parties with DJ Mark Picchiotti from Logo-TV’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race”; cabaret performances; plus softball tournaments, bike rides, historic walking tours and family activities. The Penn Wealth Pride Parade on May 16 will feature the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corp Marching Band, Liberty Gay Rodeo Association, the all-male DC Cowboys dance company (runners-up on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”) and Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy. Various fundraising socials and networking opportunities take place in the days leading up to the festival. Additional information is available at www.NewHopeCelebrates.com.

