Joe Tankle, Executive Director
Joe leads the dedicated HCOC staff to supervise, motivate and train over 300 participants annually to overcome employment barriers and reach their greatest potential. Before coming to HCOC, he was CEO of the Upper Main Line YMCA. Committed to our surrounding community, Joe is on the Board of Directors for Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) and the Main Line Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Formerly, he served as a board member for the Chester County Food Bank and Annual Fundraising Chairman for the Chester County United Way. Joe likes working at HCOC because of the people—staff, participants and volunteers—and their commitment and passion to making a difference.
Springfield (Delco) is where Joe grew up. His best role model and mentor was his father. Honesty, integrity and courage are the values that drive him. When Joe is not working, you can find him with his family, gardening or at the beach.
Mariana Tarau, Senior Director of Operations
Mariana runs production operations for HCOC, providing individuals with employment barriers training and a job opportunity. With a background in engineering and postgraduate education in operations management, her core experience is in operations management, having worked in Europe, Canada and the United States. What she likes most about working at HCOC are the friendships she has made and the mission that describes our purpose and guides us.
Born and raised in Romania, Mariana dreamed of traveling. Today she has friends and alumni on three continents providing invaluable relationships. The things that drive Mariana are humanity, family, freedom, intelligence, interconnection, open-mindedness, friendship and courage. When she is not working, Mariana enjoys spending time with family, connecting with nearby and remote friends, traveling, reading, studying a foreign language and gardening.
Jennifer Kriesel, Director of Development
Jennifer brings with her 25 years of nonprofit experience in various areas. She has experience in advocacy for persons with disabilities. From service dog training, working with children with disabilities, homelessness prevention programs, and land conservation and education, Jennifer has a vast knowledge of planned giving, fundraising events and tax laws regarding donations.
A California native, Jennifer lives in beautiful Chester County on a horse farm where she raises horses, bees, chickens and more! She spends her time outside of work showing her horses, doing 50-100 mile races with her dogs, and investigating craft breweries on the east coast.
Marcia Basehore, LPN, Director of Health Services
Marcia administers medication and first aid to HCOC participants. She has been a licensed practical nurse (LPN) since 1986. Before coming to HCOC, she worked in hospice. What she likes best about her role at HCOC is being able to spend time with and care for participants.
Marcia grew up in Downingtown, PA. Her parents were her rock, whom she relied on. She strives to be compassionate in her work and help others. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her church family, and working out at the gym.
Christine Broome, Director of Employment and Community Services
Chris manages Supported Employment, Community Participation Supports and the Oxford Photo License Center. Her role is to emphasize the importance of moving our participants from the rehabilitation setting to competitive integrated employment. Chris spent 15 years in human resources/benefits administration before earning her M.S. in Counseling from West Chester University. She started at HCOC in 1996 as a Coordinator of the Dislocated Worker Program, then the Welfare to Work and Disadvantaged Youth Programs. She has many years of experience in the placement of individuals with disabilities and welfare recipients. Chris enjoys the sense of community at HCOC and strong connections with people who share the value of service to others.
A native of York County, Chris still resides there. Responsibility and compassion are values that drive her. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, watching informative YouTube videos and hiking with the York Hiking Club.
Linda Zimmerman, Director of Training and Compliance
Linda oversees issues related to safety, licensing of various HCOC programs and training. She interacts with participants daily, ensuring that HCOC is a safe place to work while following the many licensing requirements. Linda went to Lock Haven University. She has been with HCOC since 1984, working directly with participants and supervising staff as a director of various programs. HCOC is subject to many regulations and Linda has years of experience navigating this complex environment. She likes getting to know the participants and helping them have the best day possible, understanding there are many issues and challenges they face daily.
A native of Lancaster County, Linda currently lives in New Holland. She is driven to help people and give back. Outside of work, she enjoys working in the yard and taking long walks with her dog.
Peggy Eichelberger, Chief Financial Officer and Director of HR
Peggy oversees all areas of finance and human resources at HCOC. Her role working with federal, state, and county governments is complicated and exciting. Peggy graduated from Albright College with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She earned a Master of Financial Management from Keller’s Graduate School of Management and a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Cornell University. She has worked as an accounting/finance professional in service and manufacturing industries, as well as CPA firms. Peggy enjoys her role at HCOC and finds it challenging and rewarding.
Peggy grew up in North Wales, PA, in a family of 10. She and her husband, Bob, have two children and five grandchildren she loves to spoil. Peggy strives for honesty, fairness, dedication, faithfulness, and treating others the way you would like to be treated. When she is not working, she enjoys biking and walking with friends. The thing she enjoys most is spending time with her grandchildren.
Robert Templin, Director of Rehabilitation Services
Robert provides leadership and management to a staff of professionals responsible for counseling and case management for our participants. Most of his career has been in the management of healthcare finance and operations of departments. He also served as the owner and manager of a health care and research consulting firm for over 25 years. Robert likes the opportunity to "give back" to the community and help individuals with disabilities improve their lives and reach personal goals.
Robert grew up in Delaware County and earned his B.S. from Widener University. When he retired, he did volunteer work with non-profit organizations. Robert was especially impressed with Handi-Crafters' mission and accomplishments and wanted to contribute to its growth and progress. The values that drive him are honesty, commitment and compassion. Outside of work, you can find Robert with his wife of 45 years. They enjoy spending time with their family, sports and vacations.
Peter Foster, National Sales Manager
Peter seeks new opportunities to engage with brands and companies looking to outsource work. He likes to bring products to HCOC that build the skills of our participants in the Skill Development Center. Peter is a graduate of West Chester University. Being with the HCOC team, Peter looks to build relationships with staff and, most importantly, with our program participants. While bringing in new business, he understands the efforts made within each job, as well as the likes and skills needed as he works on new potential collaborations.
Being an avid Philadelphia sports fan, Peter always enjoys talking about the Sixers, Eagles, and Phillies with the team and providing an upbeat vibe to our working community. Outside of work, Peter has a small business with his daughter and mother, 2u 4 Home, selling various homemade, handcrafted products. He is a lover of travel, true crime podcasts and a gardener during the spring and summer months. Peter always tries to present himself in a positive and uplifting manner inside and outside of work.