Dr. Susan Branton
Lycoming county and the surrounding area is blessed to have Dr. Susan Branton in the community. She is an inspirational leader and a wonderful role model to all. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our campaign team.
Dr. Branton has more than 24 years of experience as a surgeon and specializes in breast health and oncologic surgery. She is the medical director of UPMC’s Breast Health Center in Williamsport and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons where she serves as a cancer liaison physician.
Just a few of Susan's professional highlights include:
- Susquehanna/UPMC Physician of the Year
- Current President of UPMC Williamsport Medical Staff (430 physicians and 200 advanced professionals)
- Cancer Liason Physician with the American College of Surgeons
- UPMC Board of Directors, Leadership Program and COVID response team
- Past President of the Lycoming County Medical Society
- Graduate of Kings College with a Masters of Health Administration
- Graduate of Temple University, Philadelphia
- Voted Instructor of the Year at both Temple Medical School and Commonwealth Medical School
- Frequently has PA's and residents join her for education
Susan is also extremely active in the community and has volunteered her time including everything from a t-ball coach to the President of the Community Park Association.
“I’ve always had the mindset that if you want to promote meaningful change, you need to be willing to put yourself out there and take action,” said Branton. It is this attitude that our campaign to elect Jamie is based upon.
Bambi Hawkins
Bambi Hawkins arrived in the Williamsport area by way of the United States Coast Guard Academy and was a member of the US Coast Guard until 1994. Soon after arriving in our area, she graduated from the Williamsport Hospital & Medical Center Paramedic Training Institute and served the community in various Emergency Medical Services roles for almost 30 years.
Bambi was also an integral part of paramedic instruction at the Williamsport Hospital, and in the Paramedic Technology department at Penn College, serving as Paramedic Learning Laboratory Coordinator for much of her career. While at the College in her full-time role, she also served as Head Coach of the Wildcat Women's Volleyball Team for 16 years, and the Penn College Men’s Club team for two years. As a coach, Hawkins, a 2016 Penn College Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee, was blessed to have worked with a great number of championship athletes.
Bambi is the proud mother of her daughter who was a 2019 graduated from Loyalsock High School. As a veteran, health care worker, teacher, coach, and mother, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the campaign.
John Engel
John Engel, Jr. was born and raised in the heart of Lycoming County. Upon graduation John worked in a number of construction jobs and other industries and eventually worked his way into the financial industry as a lender for the past 20+ years.
John has worked with several local charities over the past 30 years including The Red Cross, Children’s Development Center, Little League Baseball, and the Chamber of Commerce. He is currently a member of the Hope Enterprises Board of Directors. Additionally John served as a school board member at South Williamsport Area School District for 16 years, including 15 years as President.
John has been married for 31 years to his wife Christine, also born and raised locally. Together they are the proud parents of two grown children. John is an avid hunter and also enjoys fishing, camping, hiking, biking, running and in all things outdoors.
His contribution to "Friends of Jamie Flick" is providing expertise on taxes and education.
Shaun Sholder
Shaun Sholder grew up in Lycoming County and graduated from Jersey Shore High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania where he also played football and wrestled.
Shaun recently retired as manufacturing manager from International Paper. In his 32 year career he worked in 7 different locations in the United States and Europe in operations and engineering. He also spent 8 years working in the technology group going to plants worldwide to improve their reliability and productivity.
Shaun is married to the former Kathy Crist from Jersey Shore and they now reside in Lycoming County. Together they enjoy visiting their two daughters, one in the Columbus area and the other at the Marine base in Okinawa, Japan. Shaun brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in manufacturing and operations to Jamie's team.
Alivia Tagliaferri
Alivia Tagliaferri is an author, documentary filmmaker, business owner and mental health advocate.
Born and raised in Williamsport, she graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and lived in Washington, D.C. for fifteen years. There, she worked with lawmakers, lobbyists, grass-roots organizations, governmental agencies and military/veteran nonprofit organizations as a writer, publisher, event producer, video producer and media consultant.
Her novel, Beyond the Wall: The Journey Home, chronicles the journey of a Vietnam veteran mentoring an Iraq War veteran as they navigate their way home after combat. Sharing stories of fighting for country and friends, this warrior of old and warrior of today form a bond that transforms pain into healing and honors their Marine code of conduct: Never leave anyone behind. Alivia adapted the book into a stage play Beyond The Wall, co-written with Iraq War veterans.
Her film endeavors include Remember. Honor. Ride., a short documentary about the 9/11 Memorial Ride held annually in Lycoming County and the outpouring of community support; Profiles in Service: It Takes A Nation, a film about the service and sacrifice of military families that premiered at the National Archives, and Beyond the Wall: Homeless Zone, a short documentary highlighting the factors of veteran homelessness.
Alivia moved back home in 2014. She served on the local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) board, Lycoming County Suicide Prevention Coalition, and currently operates three businesses while enjoying raising her three year old son with her partner.
Alivia brings expertise in the Mental Health field to the campaign team.