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PMEDC Staff

The Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation’s staff is comprised of professionals experienced in all phases of economic development, including workforce, commercial and industrial real estate, financing, infrastructure and business retention. If we can be of any assistance, please call as at (570) 839-1992 or toll free at (877) 736-7700. You can e-mail any of our staff by clicking on their name.

Charles A. Leonard – Executive Director

Portrait head shot of Charles Leonard, a man with dark short hair, wearing a white collared shirt with a black blazer and dark patterned tie

Charles (Chuck) Leonard is the Executive Director for Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation which operates Pocono Mountains Industries, the Monroe County Industrial Development Authority and the Pocono Mountains Industrial Park Authority. He has over 30 years of experience in the field of economic development. Before coming to Monroe County in 1995, he served as the Vice President of Economic Development for the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce. He also spent four years at the Harrisburg Area Chamber of Commerce as the Manager of Economic Development.

Chuck has a BA in Liberal Arts/Political Science from Lock Haven University and a Master of Public Administration from The Pennsylvania State University. He is a Past President of the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association, past Board Chairman of Penn’s Northeast and past member of the Team PA Foundation Board . He currently serves as one of Monroe County’s representatives on the Northeastern PA Alliance Board. He holds individual certification by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA).


Michelle Bisbing – Director of Marketing

Ms. Bisbing has been the Director of Marketing for the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation since May 2001.  Prior to that Ms. Bisbing spent 14 years in workforce development with Monroe County Job Training and Monroe County CareerLink. As Director of Marketing, she is responsible for new business attraction, business outreach and retention, local and regional marketing initiatives, data management and grants administration.

She has a BA in Political Science and Journalism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and holds an individual certification from the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association, serves on the Board of Directors and is currently the Chair of the Conference Committee. She is a board member of Penn’s Northeast and served as Chair from 2019 to 2021. She is currently a board member of the Monroe County Historical Association, the Pocono Counties Workforce Development Area and AllOne Foundation & Charities. She was previously a Board Member of Pocono Services for Families and Children and the Pocono Mountains United Way. She was appointed to the Tobyhanna Township Planning Commission in 2014 and currently serves as Vice Chair.


Rachel Hendricks – Economic Development Specialist

Ms. Hendricks joined our staff in August 2023. She comes to PMEDC having worked for the Pike County economic development office for 19 years and later serving as the Executive Officer for the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® in New Jersey. As an Economic Development Specialist, she is responsible business outreach & financing, grants management, infrastructure project management, facilities management and working with new business prospects.
She comes to PMEDC having held an individual certification from the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association for more than eight years. During that time, she also served on the Board of Directors of regional marketing organization Penn’s Northeast and the MetroAction Loan Review Committee.
Ms. Hendricks previously volunteered on the Boards of Directors of GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center and the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug & Alcohol Commission. In 2019, she was elected as a Township Supervisor and has been holding municipal office since 2020.


Lisa Caldera – Office Administrator

Lisa Caldera came on board with PMEDC in June 2022.  Lisa worked at Women’s Resources of Monroe County for two years as the Assistant Finance Officer before joining the PMEDC team. Prior to Women’s Resources she worked for Niclaus Engineering Corporation for sixteen years as the Office Manager and Bookkeeper.  Her time at Niclaus Engineering gave her experience in land development, county/municipal relations, and government regulations. This background, along with her bookkeeping experience, has given Lisa the tools needed for her role at PMEDC.  In 2011, Lisa graduated from Leadership Pocono.  She served as a board member for the Leadership Pocono Alumni Committee and as a mentor to new students.  She then went on to become a member and past President of The Kiwanis Day Break Service Club.  She currently serves on the Board of Pocono Services for Families and Children.