Marie Hardin named to Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance Board of Directors
State College, PA, July 1, 2024 – The Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA) today announced the addition of Marie Hardin, Dean of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State, to its Board of Directors.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dean Hardin to Board,” said HVSEA Executive Director Eric Engelbarts. “Over the past year, we’ve developed an incredibly talented and respected group of individuals to guide the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance’s mission and vision forward. Today’s announcement cements a strong foundation of support.”
Launched by The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), the HVSEA is in the final stages of becoming a stand-alone 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The HVSEA’s mission is to drive Happy Valley’s sports and entertainment strategy, enrich the quality of life, create economic impact, and raise the visibility of the region.
Engelbarts said Hardin’s dynamic professional background and proven leadership as Dean of the College of Communications would bring additional nuanced perspectives to the HVSEA Board.
Her role overseeing programs related to film, television and digital media would contribute to a growing area of emphasis for the HVSEA, as well as the HVAB: developing and capitalizing on the economic potential of the film production industry in Happy Valley.
HVSEA Board Chair William Oldsey, Penn State University trustee emeritus and retired president of McGraw-Hill Education, touted Hardin’s experience as an asset to the HVSEA.
“Her expertise perfectly straddles the line between the art and the entertainment focus of the Alliance,” he said. “We are fortunate to add Dean Hardin to the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance Board, and I look forward to working closely with Marie and our other directors as we move forward.”
2024-25 HVSEA Board of Directors:
OFFICERS
William Oldsey (Chairman)
Chairman of the Board, Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance
Adam Miller (Vice Chair)
Deputy AD for External Affairs and Engagement, Penn State University
Jennifer Brooks-Stahl (Treasurer)
General Manager, Wyndham Garden Inn
Randy B. Houston, Jr. (Secretary)
General Counsel, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Venkat Bendapudi
PhD - Professor/Business Admin.
Jamie Bestwick
Owner, Rothrock Coffee, BMX freestyle professional and Olympic Gold medal coach
B. Stephen Carpenter II
Dean of the College of Arts & Architecture, Penn State University
Stefan Cherinka
Area Manager, Shaner Hotel Group
Charlene Friedman
Chief Financial Officer, State College Downtown Properties
Dr. Patrick Kraft
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Penn State University
Marie Hardin
Dean of Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, Penn State University
Mark Higgins
Commissioner Chair, Centre County Board of Commissioners
Al Karosas
General Manager, Bryce Jordan Center
Chris Magent
Chief Operating Officer, The Butz Family of Companies
Charlene Morett-Curtiss
Former Women’s Field Hockey Coach, Advisor, Penn State University
Heidi Nicholas
Principal and Owner, Nicholas Enterprises
Fritz Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer, Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
Edward Tubbs
Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality Asset Management Company, Inc.
Scott Walker
General Manager, State College Spikes Baseball
Dan Wallace
Director of Retail Development, Arrow Real Estate Services, LLC.