2007 Archives
Davis to Retire, Gunnison to Take Reigns at Murata
HARRISBURG ( November 15, 2007 ) -- Marsha Davis, Executive Director of the Murata Business Center, has announced that she will retire at the end of the year. Karen Gunnison, a former Partner in the law firm of Wix, Wenger & Weidner will take over as Executive Director in January. Davis, who is known by many as simply "The Goddess" and described by even more in the region as a "serial entrepreneur," plans to cut back on her work load and spend more time traveling.
Davis said, "I am looking forward to some quiet time in which to travel and discover other parts of the world. My four years at Murata have been exciting and challenging. I wish to remain active in the entrepreneurial community in our region and offer my continued assistance for the region's continued growth. CREDC and the Harrisburg Regional Chamber have established a strong entrepreneurial support system, and I know that Karen Gunnison will build on that foundation as the new director at Murata."
Davis, who had prior experience with small business starts, co-founded Dasher Inc. in 1985. She and her partner, Bev Lesher, built the firm from a small mail service company at 2,000 square feet to a full service direct marketing center headquartered in a 41,000 facility today. Over the years, Dasher has expanded services and products. Davis is a frequent speaker and consultant on business starts and an advocate for woman and minority-owned businesses. She has been involved with other business starts in the region over the years, as both an advisor and an angel investor.
Mickey Nye, Owner and President of H & H Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac & Cadillac Inc. and current chair of the Murata Advisory Board stated, "Murata has come a long way in the past four years with Marsha as Executive Director. Not only has she helped the clients, but helped to energize and engage the board in lending their talents and skills to the Murata clients. On behalf of the Murata Advisory Board we thank Marsha for her efforts and wish her the very best."
Those sentiments were echoed by David Black, President & CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, the organization that owns and operates the Murata Business Center adding, "On behalf of the Boards of Directors for the Chamber & CREDC, we sincerely appreciate the energy, talent and time Marsha gave to the Murata Center and our organization. On a personal note, she has given the Murata Business Center an identity and a personality, as well as become a valuable member of the leadership team for the organization. Her energy has been a great influence on Murata, the clients, the would-be entrepreneurs she has met with over the years and the region as a whole. Her knowledge, her personality, her style and her passion for entrepreneurs has established a legacy that will be synonymous with Murata."
Karen Gunnison, focused her legal practice in the general business arena, will work with Davis through the end of the year before taking over operations in January.
Gunnison said, "Working with entrepreneurs is exciting, and there is no better place to do it than at Murata. I went to law school in Carlisle and after all these years it's great to be back. I look forward to working with Marsha to make the transition smooth, as well as getting to know the current Murata clients and meeting other emerging businesses and potential clients in the region."
Gunnison has also been very active in community activities over the years including AAA of Central Pennsylvania, Cumberland County Commission for Women, The Harrisburg Symphony Society, the Modern Transit Partnership and the Junior League of Harrisburg. She was a candidate for Cumberland County Commissioner in the spring of 2007, Director of Special Projects for the Swann for Governor Campaign for Central Pennsylvania in 2006 and is a graduate of the Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series.
Black added, "Our long term goal is to build onto the legacy of Murata Business Center as a name that is synonymous with entrepreneurs and business creation in Central Pennsylvania . Karen will be the fourth Executive Director at the facility following Mary Ann Van Arsdale, Ed Harrell and Davis. Each brought the ability to link Murata clients to resources, as well as share their own unique business experiences and knowledge. Karen will continue in that tradition, bringing her own unique experiences, vision and energy along with the resources of our entire organization and our economic development partners throughout the region together for the benefit of both those looking to start a business, as well as those who are and those who will become Murata clients."
The Murata Business Center is a 30,000 square foot business incubator that currently houses 12 businesses and employs 72 people in Carlisle Borough. It is currently 88% filled. The incubator is owned and operated by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. It is largely supported by private and public sector contributions to the organization, as well as rental income. It is staffed by the Executive Director, Facilities Manager-Alex Quigley and two part-time Administrative Assistants- Kathy Kirk and Janet Hosey, as well as supported by the staff at the Chamber & CREDC. It is a state designated Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) and companies located in the facility have qualified for KIZ tax credits.
The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC serves as a catalyst for promoting growth and quality of life in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties by providing a unique blend of business, community and economic development and advocacy services under one roof to boost our economic vitality and livability as a region. Over the past 6 years, the Chamber & CREDC has provided assistance that has created over $200M in economic impact and created or retained over 9,000 jobs. HRC/CREDC has been accredited with four stars from the United States Chamber of Commerce.
