2024 Juniata Valley Council Good Scout Dinner

Joseph & Suzanne Paterno Community Impact Award – Charlene Friedman                                

Charlene Friedman’s impact on the State College community is clear. For more than 40 years she has helped to define the landscape of the region as a real estate professional, volunteer and philanthropist.  Charlene admits that her career in commercial real estate, which earned her recognition as one of Pennsylvania’s “Best 50 Women in Business,” was not her original plan when she graduated from Seton Hall University in 1969.  Upon moving to State College in 1978 she decided on a different path from the Special Education training she received.

Real Estate was suggested, she decided to obtain a license, and as they say, “the rest is history”.

With roots now firmly established in State College, Charlene found herself becoming more immersed in the community. “Volunteering has always been important to me,” Charlene says. “Juggling a career and caring for a family is challenging, but I believe we all have a responsibility to make a difference if we can.” Charlene has served on community positions, including board member for the Center for Performing Arts, the State College Area Food Bank, and the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®, and as chairman of the Centre County United Way, the Downtown State College Improvement District, Smart Start-Centre County, Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission, the Regional Advisory Boards of both M&T Bank , and Centre 1st Bank  and the Centre County Association of REALTORS®, among many others. She is currently serving on the Board of Old Dominion National Bank, Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Bureau and is Chairperson of the Child Advocacy Center.

                Charlene, whose support of Penn State has been recognized with membership in the Laurel Circle of the Mount Nittany Society, has served on various development and advisory councils for the College of Health and Human Development, and assisted with all the University’s fundraising campaigns.

                As an entrepreneur, Charlene owns and operates Industrial-Commercial Realty LLC and actively manages commercial and multi-family enterprises in Centre County. In 1995 she branched into agriculture by co-founding Mountain Edge Alpacas LLC and becoming a certified USA and International Alpaca judge.

                Charlene is the mother of two children, daughter Salem Bartlett and husband John in North Carolina and son, Ty Stewart who resides in Nevada with his SCAHS sweetheart Sarah. She is grandmother of two 16-year-old grands, Chase and Kyla.

                Maya Angelou was inspirational to Charlene. A favorite quote that she likes to remember daily is: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Penn State - HHD Community Mourns Death of Ed Friedman

The College of Health and Human Development lost a special alum and long-time volunteer with the passing of Edward A. Friedman on Saturday, August, 22, 2020.

Ed earned his master’s degree in hotel, restaurant, and institutional management from the College of Health and Human Development’s School of Hospitality Management in 1995. He was also a graduate of Ohio State University and held MBA and law degrees from San Francisco University. Born and raised in State College, Ed was a successful businessman who was deeply committed to his community and to town and gown relations. Ed supported Penn State and the College of HHD as a generous donor and dedicated volunteer, having served on the college’s Grand Destiny, For the Future, and A Greater Penn State campaign committees. Along with his wife, Charlene, Ed was a current member of the college’s Philanthropy Council. In 2012 Penn State named Ed and Charlene as the University’s Renaissance Fund honorees for their civic and University engagement and generous financial support.

Ed is survived by his wife, Charlene Bourdelais Friedman; two children, Ty Stewart (Sarah) of Henderson, NV, and Salem Bartlett (John) of Carolina Beach, NC; two grandchildren, Kyla Bartlett and Chase Stewart; as well as his loyal canine companions Tito, Lokka, and Remy. He also is survived by his brother Ronald M. Friedman (Susan) of Boalsburg, nieces Alison and Andrea, and nephew Jonathan.

Learn more about his life from his obituary.

Penn State - Friedmans named 2012 Renaissance Fund honorees

University Park, Pa. — State College business and community leaders Ed and Charlene Friedman have been named Penn State’s 2012 Renaissance Fund honorees. They will be recognized in November at the 36th annual Renaissance Fund dinner, according to John Walizer, president of the fund’s board of directors.

Each year, the Renaissance Fund honors an individual or couple who, through a lifetime of service, has contributed greatly to the Penn State and State College communities. In its selection process, the fund’s board of directors seeks to recognize individuals who have deep roots in the Centre Region, close relationships with civic and University leaders, and a commitment to philanthropy.

“The Friedmans truly embody the spirit of the Renaissance Fund,” said Walizer. “Through their tireless commitment to the University and to local organizations, they have left a lasting impact on the life of our community and its members.”

Charlene A. Friedman - Pennsylvania Business Central

Charlene is a Real Estate Broker with 40 years’ experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Seton Hall University. A native New Eng­lander, she found a home and a place to raise her children in 1978, when she moved to State College. As a lifelong learner, she honed her account­ing and educator skills through post-graduate studies at PSU and Uni­versity of Oregon. In 1978 she became a PA Licensed Real Estate Broker. She followed that by becoming a Certified Property Manager (CPM), an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), an E-Pro and a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). An early pioneer of women in Commercial Real Estate, she achieved the equivalent of a PhD. (CCIM) in the field in 1988.

Charlene is a dedicated member of the community and a generous philanthropist. She co- founded Industrial-Commercial Realty LLC in 2004 and leads a dedicated team of profession­als working together to serve the needs of investors and clients in both Central Pennsylvania and the Treasure Coast of Florida.

Industrial-Commercial Realty, LLC. - Pennsylvania Business Central

Charlene Friedman is the owner of two Centre County businesses, Mountain Edge Alpacas, and Industrial-Commercial Realty, LLC.

As a certified Alpaca Judge in the USA and Canada, she judged multiple National Shows and chaired several committees of the national association (AOBA). She has been raising alpacas since 1995.

In addition to her alpaca enterprise, Charlene directs her focus to running Industrial- Commercial Realty, LLC, DBA State College Downtown Properties; a commercial real estate consulting firm specializing in hospitality and multi-family residential projects.

Ms. Friedman currently serves on the Board of Old Dominion National Bank and Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance. She is a past President of many organizations including CCAR, State College Downtown Partnership and IREM. Industrial-Commercial Realty, LLC is a member of CCAR and CBICC.

Charlene A. Friedman to Join ODNB Financial Corporation and Old Dominion National Bank Board of Directors

Tysons Corner, VA., November 21, 2023 – ODNB Financial Corporation (the “Company”), the parent company of Old Dominion National Bank (“ODNB” or the “Bank”), is proud to announce the appointment of Charlene A. Friedman to the Board of Directors of both the Company and the Bank, effective December 11, 2023. With deep roots in the Central Pennsylvania community and an impressive background in real estate and education, Ms. Friedman brings a wealth of experience to the Company.

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