Mary Himmelberger, a grant writer and office manager for Barry Isett & Associates, Inc., is among the Top 20 Young Professionals as recognized by Leadership Tri-County and the Tri-County Area Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Himmelberger, who balances her time between the firm’s Lehigh Valley headquarters and Greater Berks office, was named a Visionary Leader by the group and recognized at an awards ceremony and reception held in Pottstown on February 20.
She joined Barry Isett & Associates in 2015 to grow and develop the firm’s grants program. Through years of dedication, experience, and research, Ms. Himmelberger has acquired a thorough understanding of popular municipal grant programs which helps her guide clients and fellow team members in developing competitive projects and grant applications.
The grant applications that Ms. Himmelberger manages enable communities with limited resources to gain access to valuable funding streams for the enhancement of community assets. Her efforts have included improvements to recreation and athletic facilities, playgrounds, park amenities, and greening; recreational planning, land acquisition, and site development plans; streetscape improvements, connectivity of transportation assets, and traffic signals; trail development, interconnectivity, amenities, and trailheads; pedestrian, bicyclist, intersection safety, and traffic calming; municipal facility and land improvements and ADA improvements to public land; stormwater management/treatment with native plantings. Ms. Himmelberger takes great interest in learning about the communities she collaborates with and has created lasting relationships with the community administrators, municipal officials, project stakeholders, and residents.
Ms. Himmelberger’s prior experience as a Regional Chamber Manager and Borough Revitalization Coordinator for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce—as well as the Marketing & Events Coordinator for Hamburg’s non-profit Main Street Revitalization Program—has instilled in her the value in building relationships and appreciating the unique culture each community offers. In the Tri-County region, her grant writing efforts have resulted in enhancements to outdoor recreation, upgrades to municipal infrastructure, and restoration of streambanks.
Outside of her responsibilities at Isett, Ms. Himmelberger is a representative on the Bernville Borough Zoning Hearing Board, a member of the Habitat for Humanity of Berks County Board of Directors, and a participant in the Tulpehocken Creek Watershed Association Committee. She and her husband, Donald, are proud parents to a daughter and son.
