the business, industrial & Professional
Association of Palmer Township
“Helping your business while Helping our Community”
Pride in Palmer
Each quarter the BIP honors a business in the township for using Palmer Township in their advertising.
Community Awards
Each year the BIP honors individuals, organizations, and businesses for their contribution to Palmer Township.
GOLFING OUTING
Our largest fundraiser of the year, which supports our community projects. Please join us at our 2026 Outing on September 8th at Southmoore Country Club.
The Business, Industrial & Professional Assoc. of Palmer Township
PO Box 3494 – Palmer, PA 18043
BIP of Palmer announces new president for 2026
At the December Board of Directors meeting, Ken Marino was elected as president of the BIP for 2026. Ken has been a long-time member of the Board and has worked on a number of projects, most importantly the annual golf outing.
Ken Marino is a seasoned leader at Orbel Corporation located in the Industrial Park here in Palmer Township. Ken has played a key role in advancing precision manufacturing capabilities at Orbel, with deep experience in aerospace, defense, and electronics markets. As Chairman of the Board and past president, Ken has focused on operational excellence, innovation, and long-term strategic growth for the company.
Ken has been a very active member of the community, serving as President of the Palmer Kiwanis Club, President of the Master Association of Metal Finishers, a board member of the Photo Chemical Milling Institute, and a board member at St. Joseph’s College of Maine, his alma mater.
Since 1961 Orbel Corporation’s military-aerospace business has been delivering precision photoetched processing, metal finishing, heat treating and fabrication services tailored to the stringent demands of defense and aerospace programs. With deep expertise in specialty chemistries, tight process control, and rigorous quality systems (including compliance with aerospace specifications and standards), Orbel supports critical applications across airframes, engine components, and subsystem assemblies.
BIP 48th Annual Awards Banquet
In November, the Business Industrial & Professional Association of Palmer Township BIP proudly presented the 48th Annual Awards Banquet. Those honored at the banquet included: Brenda DeGerolamo received the Booster Award; Rick Principato received the Principato Family Legacy Award; the Charles Chrin Companies received the Special Recognition Award; Craig Conner received the Community Service Award; and Brown Daub KIA received the Civic Trust Award.
Click here to view the Award Ceremony information.
From left to right in the picture are Rick Principato, Craig Conner, Debra Young, chairwoman of the BIP Award Committee, Mike Dalton, Brown Daub KIA, Craig Chrin, Brenda DeGerolamo, Charlie Chrin, Dennis Chrin, and Jeff Young, BIP President.
BIP Donates to the Miracle League of Northampton County
At the BIP Awards Banquet, BIP member and director of the Palmer 5k race and walk Jeff Kicska, made a very generous donation to BJ Metz, president of the Miracle League of Northampton County. Since the beginning of the Palmer 5K, fourteen years ago the BIP has donated the proceeds of this event to MLNC. The players and members of the Board of Directors very much appreciate the continued support of the BIP.
2025 Palmer5K
The 14th Annual BIP Palmer5K race and walk was held on August 16th as part of the Palmer Community Days. There were 337 registered participants and 298 who completed the race. Both of which set a record. Below are the men’s and women’s overall winners. To see the race results, Click Here.
To view all the pictures of the event, Click Here.
The BIP thanks all of the participants, Jeff Kicska (event manager), sponsors, volunteers, and Lori Zrebiec for taking all the pictures of the event. The proceeds of this event will be donated to the Miracle League of Northampton County, who deeply appreciate the donation.
Men’s Overall Winner
Evan Guydish
Winning time 17:06:20
Women’s Overall Winner
Virginia Kraus
Winning Time 17:42:32
Membership Luncheon
July 23, 2025
Nate Pritchard
The Business, Industrial, and Professional Association of Palmer Township (BIP of Palmer) held its quarterly luncheon meeting on July 23 at the Marblehead Chowder House.
Following the introduction of guests, attendees received an update on the 2025 scholarship, which was awarded to Sarah Hough on July 16. Jeff Kicska also shared information regarding sponsorship opportunities for the upcoming BIP 5K race, scheduled for August 16 in conjunction with Palmer Days.
As in previous years, the BIP will operate a popcorn stand during Palmer Days, offering complimentary popcorn to attendees. This initiative is made possible through the generous support of Chrin Companies, which is underwriting the cost of the popcorn supplies.
The keynote speaker was Nate Pritchard, District Manager of the Northampton County Conservation District (NCCD). Mr. Pritchard delivered an informative presentation outlining the mission and operations of the NCCD at its new facility on Newburg Road in Nazareth. His remarks highlighted the district’s community outreach efforts, municipal development plan reviews, agricultural soil conservation programs, and watershed monitoring activities.
Membership Luncheon
January 22, 2025
The Palmer BIP held its annual, “State of the Township” presentation at the January quarterly lunch meeting at the Marblehead Chowder House.
Mike Brett, BOS Chairman and Bob Williams, Township Manager led the “State of the Township” discussion covering details of accomplishments of the Stormwater Authority, the recent tax increase, and the proposed new police station. Bob involved several department heads in the discussion including Polce Chief Wayne Smith, PMFD Deputy Chief, Ken Sobieski, and Scott Kistler, Director of Public Works.
The next quarterly meeting of the BIP will be held March 25th at the Marblehead Chowder House at noon.
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The Palmer BIP held another successful quarterly luncheon on Wednesday at the Marblehead Chowder House with a capacity crowd. BIP President Jeff Young facilitated the meeting and gave a brief update about the BIP annual golf outing held on September 9th.
The main speaker was Tyson Unangst of the Palmer Police Department who was recently promoted to the position of Sgt of Community Affairs. Sgt Unangst, a homegrown member of the police department discussed his family’s long roots in the Palmer community.
Sgt Unangst did a very good job in explaining the new position of Community Affairs which concentrates on police outreach in the community with a special emphasis on children, especially young school-age kids. You can expect to see Sgt Unangst and other police officers in the schools, kid’s camps, and special events.
July 2024 BIP General Membership Luncheon
The Palmer BIP’s quarterly meeting was very well attended Wednesday, July 24th at the Marblehead Chowder House. The main speaker today was Andy Carr, owner of Snowscapes, a Palmer based tree removal company specializing in difficult crane work and getting the job done with the latest and most powerful tree cutting and removal equipment. Andy also highlighted his 25 plus years of service to the Palmer Municipal Fire Department and emergency tree cutting training he conducts for other local fire departments.
Giving back to the community
Contact Information
BIP, Inc.
PO Box 3494
Palmer, PA 18043
Phone: (610) 253-7191
Ask for Brenda DeGerolamo
bdegerolamo@palmertwp.com
