Originally a Venango County native, Elise Switzer moved away after college, but recently moved back and told us: “I am thrilled to be home.”

Elise is a Realtor at Shawgo Real Estate, and attended Mercyhurst University where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy with a minor in Psychology.

In her career, Elise has earned many achievements. She was named employee of the month just two months after starting at her current job, has received five letters of professional recognition for completed projects, and received promotions within the first year at three different companies she has worked for.

Through her job as a Realtor, Elise has become connected with all that the county has to offer and has reacquainted herself with this region. She is fortunate to have the opportunity to meet many people and help them call this area home as well.

Elise enjoys the outdoors and art of any kind. She likes to kayak, hike, bike, and garden, and she pursues art with a focus on photography, painting, and ceramics. Elise appreciates the outdoor recreation opportunities, family friend festivals and community activities, arts, theatre, and good food available in Venango County, and the great friends she gets to share it all with. She is especially excited to enjoy her hometown with her husband, two sons, and their family and friends who live here.

A goal of Elise’s is to “make roots” here. “I am looking forward to becoming an integral part of the community by establishing myself as a Realtor here and finding avenues to get involved such as becoming a part of FLEX and other community organizations,” she told us.

Welcome back, Elise! We’re excited to have you in our community.

Megan Decker is originally from the North Hills of Pittsburgh and most recently in the Lancaster, PA, area, but has now chosen to call Venango County her home.

Megan works at Gardinier Funeral Home, where she is a Funeral Director. She received her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Psychology from Edinboro University, as well as her associates degree in Mortuary Science from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS).

Professionally, she is excited to continue to grow in her career as a funeral director, and personally, she hopes to become more involved in our community and meet new people.

The outdoors are a passion of Megan’s, so Venango County is a great place for her to explore! She enjoys hiking, biking, and adventuring with her corgi, Otis.

Megan has also already started giving her time in our community, in which she volunteers for the Venango Area Riding for the Handicapped Association (VARHA).

“This is a beautiful area and full of life,” she said. “There are great places to eat in town and the bike trails are wonderful!” Megan also mentioned she appreciates the people and the atmosphere we have here.

We’re so glad you’re already starting to feel at home here, Megan!

These articles were published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) October 2019 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.