Penn State Berks - Startup Opportunities in the City of Reading for Entrepreneurs

Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz

Mi Casa Su Casa Cafe

Owner
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz was born in New York City on August 31, 1973. Her parents are Ana & Luis Cepeda. She lived and attended school in the Dominican Republic from the age of 9 to 14. She graduated from Mother Cabrini HS in NYC. Obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz College where she majored in French and minored in Spanish, and studied abroad in Paris, France, 1994.  

Johanny obtained a Master of Science in Education degree from Long Island University, to become a bilingual guidance counselor. For over 10 years, she worked for Grand Street Settlement and held the position of Program Director for the Beacon Center, a school-based community center located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NYC. In addition to her role as Program Director, she worked part time as the College Counselor for Marta Valle Secondary School where the community center is housed.  

Johanny has 2 children: Enith, 14 & Elias 12 and is happily married to Felix Freytiz III. In 2007 a business opportunity presented itself in Reading, and Johanny chose to leave NYC and her career to become an entrepreneur/business woman. She relocated her family to establish Mi Casa Su Casa Café, located at 320 Penn Street, downtown Reading. She graduated from the SBDC/LBRC Business Program, in the spring of 2009. In November, 2009, Johanny was the recipient of the James Hyson Entrepreneur Award from Community First Fund. On January, 2011 she was awarded Business Person of the Year by the Latino Chamber of Commerce. On March 30, 2017 she was the recipient of the Take the Lead 2017 Award by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. Johanny currently serves on the board of directors of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance.  

On October 2016, Johanny and her husband Felix expanded Mi Casa Su Casa business to offer once a week Latin dinner buffet services at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wyomissing. In April of 2018, Johanny & Felix opened a stand at the Shillington Farmer’s market.  

Johanny has always seen her city of Reading, PA as being at potential and as a result has been an active member of the community.

Aaron Gantz

Downtown Revitalization

Executive Director
Aaron C. Gantz is a self-motivated, dynamic, passionate professional committed to enhancing the community through holistic community and economic development. She uses her expansive and growing personal and professional skills to align her vision with the community’s vision to enhance her position as an up and coming leader in the field of economic development. 

As the Executive Director of Downtown Revitalization at the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, Aaron works with both the public and private sector to enhance to enhance economic development opportunities in downtown Reading, PA. 

Not only does she possess passion for her work, she brings over eight years of professional economic development experience to the table. Aaron is the Immediate Past Chair of the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association’s communication and membership committee; Vice Chair of the Smart Growth Alliance of Berks County; a United Way of Berks County Focus Area Panel member; and a member of the West Reading Economic Development Committee. 

Aaron is a native of the City of Reading. She graduated from West Virginia University where she earned both her B.A. in Political Science in 2008 and an MPA, Master of Public Administration degree in 2010. She is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. She is also a recipient of the 2011 Rising Star Award from the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Alan Shuman

Shuman Development Group

President
Alan W. Shuman had his humble beginnings on a small family farm in Selinsgrove, PA, Alan was forever independently embarking on one financial adventure or another. At as young as 8 years old, Alan was selling walnuts by the roadside that he had collected from the farm, had his mother shell by driving her car back and forth in the driveway, and then roasted them. Not all his financial endeavors were successful, but he gleaned a wealth of knowledge and experience from each one and he never gave up. His first official real estate investment was in 1989 (simply because he needed a place to live) as a sophomore at Penn State University, from which he earned a BA in History with a focus on business and military science in 1991. 

After earning his degree, Alan spent time in the military and was honorably discharged as an executive officer of a combat armor company. His original intent was to establish a military career, but, as often happens in life, his plans changed when circumstances did not go as expected and he had to reconsider his life goals. For several years Alan worked in computer sales, but he had always had a dream of owning his own business and never forgot that his first real estate investment worked out well. So, he decided to moonlight and focus his time and energy on making real estate a career. 

In 1994, Alan and his wife, Marina, founded Shuman Development Group (SDG), which focuses on rehabilitating large-scale urban structures that are often of historical significance, abandoned, off the tax roles, and located in depressed neighborhoods. Whenever possible, SDG’s goal is to rehabilitate enough critical mass so that entire neighborhoods are revitalized and jobs are created. After countless sacrifices, all-nighters, and learning experiences, Alan and Marina have grown it into one of the largest and most successful development companies in the Reading area. Among others, SDG spearheaded numerous high-profile projects like the redevelopment of the Reading Outlet Center (ten buildings covering six city blocks); the restoration of the Abraham Lincoln Hotel (Berks County’s tallest privately-owned structure); and, is currently focusing on rescuing the fabulous neo-classical Berks County Trust Building.

Elliott Weinstein

Weinstein Realty Consultants

President
Elliott Weinstein was appointed to the Penn State Board of Trustees by Governor Tom Wolf effective September 2015. He earned his B.S. in Marketing and M.S. in Accounting from Penn State in 1973 and 1974, respectively. The president of York, Pennsylvania-based Weinstein Realty Consultants, he also has served on the board of Penn State Hillel since 2003, and as its chair since 2013.
For more information, visit gew.psu.edu.