Northampton County Executive Director John Brown has
nominated Diane Donaher the County's fist Economic Development Director since the days of Glenn Reibman. But just who is she?
Well, for one thing, she's a voice over artist.
Non-union, of course.
Creative Sound Studios describes her as "[m]iddle aged, a voice you can trust, [with] approachable narrations." In fact, in this
little audio segment, Donaher shills for the "country wineries" and "working farms" of Bucks County.
Now she can shill for our country wineries and working farms. And for more money.
During the Executive race, Brown complained that the County focuses too much of its economic development energy on the cities. "We have to get away from Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, and focus on the rest of the community," he argued. So naturally, he hired a Bethlehem resident for the job. Not only that, but one who served for three years as Bethlehem's Deputy Director of Economic Development before she decided to become a radio star.
As it happens, that's the only economic development job she ever had.
Some say she left after only three years because she didn't care much for newly elected Mayor John Callahan.. That may be, but her job history is full of short stays: United Way - 2 1/2 years; LV Business Education Partnership - two years; and Skills USA for just a year.
She recently formed 3D Non-Profit Resources, which apparently gives nonprofits advice on how to raise money.
She did spend one long stint before her job in Bethlehem - 15 years with SkillsUSA. That outfit seems to specialize in training kids for jobs, as opposed to actually educating them.
Incidentally, her husband Dean Donaher just happens to be Director of Student Services at the Bethlehem Area School District.
Very convenient.
You could make the case Donaher knows a lot about nonprofits, or fundraising, or even our educational system. You could claim she's a great voice over artist. But economic development? That's a tough sell.
Council will confirm her, probably unanimously. They'll defer to the Executive, even though there are loads of people out there who are more qualified, like Pete Reinke or Steve Melnick.
Reinke even plays golf! ... And speaks fluent Republican.
I am turned off by her listing of Georgetown as part of her educational background on her
LinkedIn page. She was there a week, kinda' like Brown's $7,400 taxpayer-funded junket to Notre Dame. In both cases, this has nothing to do with education. It is resume-padding.
Why did Brown pick her?
Probably the statue of her patron saint, Elmer [all Republicans please bow your heads] Gates, sitting in her back yard, helped. It's no secret she's tight with this Lehigh Valley Partnership heavyweight. And it's no secret that Brown is a puppet for the unelected bluebloods.
Donaher should never have been nominated. LVEDC CEO Don Cunningham passed on her. But she'll get the job, and we will pay a ridiculous salary for a voice over artist.
In her defense, I'm told she has a bubbly personality, is very nice, is an accomplished public speaker, i.e. bullshitter, and will work very hard.
I believe she will ... For about two years.
