NEWS
Northeast Woman: Chamber officer uses local roots to promote NEPA
4/28/2013
Having local roots makes Amy S. Luyster's job as a local economic advocate that much easier and satisfying.
Raised and schooled in Dunmore, Ms. Luyster chose to stay local to earn a degree in communications with a concentration in public relations and a minor in business marketing from Wilkes University.
After working in sales briefly, she began a career with Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and will mark her 15th year with the organization this September.
Ms. Luyster started as an economic development specialist with the chamber before being promoted to research and marketing director.
Currently, she acts as administrator for Scranton Plan, a program within the chamber that focuses on job creation and retention.
"I work with companies, business owners and real estate brokers to bring jobs to Lackawanna County," Ms. Luyster explained.
She handles almost every aspect of Scranton Plan's needs, from taking meetings to administrative duties and marketing campaigns. Though it's a lot of work, the benefit is that each day presents a new task and Ms. Luyster never gets bored.
"I have the ability to do my creative side," she said, by having a hand in designing brochures, working on branding or writing grants, op-eds and press releases.
"It's something different every day," Ms. Luyster added. "The clients are different in scope, needs and challenges. I literally learn something new every day about our community or economical change."
Regional initiative
Scranton Plan's biggest undertaking is the NEPA Regional Bioscience Initiative, which encompasses eight counties in an effort to coordinate higher education institutions, like The Commonwealth Medical College, area businesses and entrepreneurs in making Northeast Pennsylvania a hub of bioscience research.
"I get to be involved in next-step activities and forward-thinking," Ms. Luyster said. "When you separate yourself from work, it's a sense of pride and accomplishment when you hear someone say, 'I got a job at X-Y-Z company,' and I had a hand in bringing them here.
"I like contributing to the betterment of my neighbors and their quality of life," she said.
RBI and her other Scranton Plan projects require a lot of backup and Ms. Luyster credits her "team-oriented" co-workers with helping work toward the goal of improving the economic sustainability of the community.
Ms. Luyster said she is always seeking to better herself, too, and in that pursuit, has earned certification in nonprofit organization management from the Institute for Organization Management, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
She also serves on the executive committee and as a board member for Penn's Northeast, a partnership of public and private groups and businesses that seek to bring companies to Northeast Pennsylvania, and she is a founding member of Pennsylvania CareerLink Lackawanna County Business Services Team.
Ms. Luyster is a member of POWER!, the professional networking group; the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association and the Industrial & Office Real Estate Brokers Association of New York. She also serves as a board member for Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency.
Outside of her profession, Ms. Luyster is active with the PTA at her 5-year-old daughter Caroline's school, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Jim, and extended family.
Positive outlook
Shoring up the local economy and creating opportunities for future generations gives Ms. Luyster purpose each day she goes to work.
"I think there's a lot of opportunity in Northeast PA," she said. "We're on the cusp of many great things. People have pride for where they live, and we have a ton of cultural and artistic activities.
"I'm so blessed and thankful for everything I have in my life, from family to my career to opportunities that have brought me here," Ms. Luyster continued. "I'm excited to see where my path will lead, and how every step I take influences my daughter and her friends. I hope I will be able to be viewed as a role model."
Contact the writer: pwilding@timesshamrock.com, @pwildingTT on TwitterMeet Amy. S. Luyster
At home: Resides in Roaring Brook Twp., with her husband, Jim, and daughter, Caroline. She is the daughter of Paul and Virginia Sosik, Dunmore.
At work: She is Scranton Plan administrator for Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
Inspiration: "The strong women in my life. From my 95-year-old grandmother, who taught by example the importance of family and work ethic; my mother - a nationally recognized artist - encouraging and teaching creativity; to my 5-year-old daughter, who keeps me on my toes, inspiring me each day to love the little things in life and strive to be the best mother and role model I can be."
Aspiration: "To live a full life, surrounded by my children and grandchildren, knowing I contributed to the betterment of my community and have no regrets."
Diversions: Entertaining friends and family; spending time at the lake with her husband and daughter; unsweetened iced tea, audio books and Pinterest.
Aversions: Tardiness, ingratitude and clutter.
Quote: "If you're asked to take a seat on a rocket ship, don't ask what seat, just get on." -Sheryl Sandberg