CPN Board Members
Cedar Park Neighbors is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of five officers and up to 16 directors-at-large. They are elected by the general membership at a meeting held each year in April.
Officers serve for one-year terms and may be re-elected for additional terms. The office of President is limited to four consecutive one-year terms. Officers must be members in good standing of Cedar Park Neighbors and live within the boundaries of Cedar Park (see map).
Directors serve two-year terms and may be re-elected to serve additional terms. Eight directors are elected to serve two-year terms each year. Therefore, in each year there are eight newly elected or re-elected directors and eight directors who are serving the second year of their term. Directors must be members in good standing of Cedar Park Neighbors.
OFFICERS
Renee McBride Williams, President
Catherine Hofmann, Secretary
David Hincher, 1st VP
John Schaeffer, 2nd VP
Amara Rockar, Treasurer
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE
Francesca Carvalho
Marilyn Clark
Angela DiBattiste
Steve Dolnak
Rev Eric Goode
Jess Lowing
Franchona Pryor
Abby Schottenfels
Emil Steiner
Renee McBride Williams
PRESIDENT
A native of West Philadelphia, Renee has become one of the leaders in her humble Cedar Park community. Ms. McBride-Williams received the 2014-2015 Dorothy I. Height Award from the National Council of Negro Women, Philadelphia Chapter for her community service and leadership.
Renee McBride-Williams is the General Manager to West Philadelphia’s only community radio station, WPEB 88.1 FM. While juggling her responsibilities to the broadcasters at the station, Renee is the Project Manager for the 2014-2015, “Arts On Air” projects spearheaded by Scribe Video, Inc. and sponsored by PNC Bank Arts Alive Project. She is also the director of the “Youth On Air” project at WPEB. With all that, Renee McBride-Williams is a mentor and educator to middle to high school students in the Philadelphia school community while still volunteering in the Arts and Broadcasting, Today, Renee is the Senior Executive Producer of a public affairs program called, “The Shed Kitchen” with Karen Dunn.
Above all, she is committed to her 14-year marriage to her best friend, George E. Williams and mother to 5 time Grammy winner, Bassist Christian McBride.
Amara Rockar
Treasurer
Amara Rockar has lived in West Philadelphia for over 15 years, most of it in Cedar Park. She and her husband bought their home in 2010, and are raising their family here. Amara is a board member of the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools. During the day, she works as an admin for the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.
FRANCESCA CARVALHO
49XX Cedar Avenue
Francesca is a lifelong Resident of Philadelphia. She and her family moved to Cedar Park in 2012 where she has served as Block Captain of 4900 Cedar since 2016. During the day she works as a registered nurse at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and is an adjunct instructor for Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
As both an educator and health care provider, Francesca recognizes the importance of community service and engagement. She looks forward to joining the CPN Board and having the opportunity to connect and engage with old and new residents. Building these relationships is pivotal to gaining more stakeholder involvement. Francesca will bring fresh ideas in an effort to help achieve this goal.
MARILYN CLARK
48XX REGENT AVE.
My name is Marilyn Clark and I am your new neighbor, residing on 49th street between Chester Ave and Regent Street. My husband and I moved to the neighborhood in June of 2018. We acquired, affectionately known as Mr. Bill’s house. After extensive renovations, hard work and sweat, we finally became your neighbors.
My husband is a contractor by trade and I am in sales. We have several children, with none of them residing with us. So we are considered empty nesters!
I have an interest in the community and would like to work with Cedar Park Neighbors as a Board Member to be an advocate for our neighborhood. I understand we have involvement in many community events and also pilot several initiatives throughout the year.
Thank you for the consideration of having me join as a Board Member. I can assure you of my level of commitment to the neighborhood we will call home for many years to come.
REV. ERIC GOODE
50XX BALTIMORE AVE
Greetings, my name is Eric Goode. I’m the pastor of the Peoples Baptist Church. At one time, I served as Vice President of Cedar Park and wish to return so as to promote the vision for community diversity.
Emil Steiner
46XX SPRINGFIELD AVE
Emil Steiner was born and raised in West Philadelphia. He is an assistant professor of journalism at Rowan University. Prior to joining the academy he served as a reporter and editor at The Washington Post. As a long-term resident of Cedar Park, he is focused on creating sustainable growth in Philadelphia’s most beautiful residential neighborhood.
Jess Lowing
49XX Catharine St
Jess has lived in Philadelphia for 15 years and across from Cedar Park for 8 years with her husband Steve and daughter Neko (almost 2!). They love the park and the neighborhood and want to see it thrive for everyone. In her personal time she likes to cook for friends, play ice hockey, garden and sew. Professionally, Jess is the Sr. Director of Product Management at Comcast and organizes Product Think Tank Philadelphia.
Catherine Hofmann
Secretary
Cat is a designer, entrepreneur, and consultant living and working in Cedar Park since 2015. She is the Principal of Hellcat Studio and the founder of QSPACES.
Cat is also a board member of Garden Court Community Association, and she has previous experience with the AIA North Carolina Planning Committee, TEDxPhiladelphia, Independence Business Alliance Women in Business Committee, PA LGBTQA Health Conference Advisory Committee, and a previous Vice President of Cedar Park Neighbors.
David Hincher
1st VICE PRESIDENT
David moved from Texas to Philadelphia in 2006 and bought their home in Cedar Park over 10 years ago. He and his wife are raising their 8 year old daughter and are actively engaged in the West Philly Girl Scout troop. They love the neighborhood and are excited to see it brimming with activity and new businesses. David worked with Soccer Shots to bring toddler soccer program to Cedar Park in fall 2013 , which now offers their program to the community year round.
He has a particular interest in issues that impact the quality of life in the community, such as the vitality of neighborhood schools, zoning, development, safety, etc. David was the lead volunteer on the Baltimore Avenue Community Corridor design study, completed in 2010. He is the chair of the Development Impact Task Force, which produced the “Future of the Neighborhood” survey in 2012. David’s goal is to assist CPN in achieving the Baltimore Avenue vision to re-extend prosperity further west along our main street corridor.
JOHN SCHAEFFER
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Growing up in Glenside with friends and family living throughout the city for generations, John moved to Cedar Park in 2014 at the suggestion of his brother and sister-in-law, both also residents for several years. He now lives on Beaumont Ave with siblings, cousins, and lifelong friends all living in West Philly.
A software developer by occupation, John also has an avid interest in infrastructure and infrastructure access; he sees West Philly in particular as a leader in Philadelphia’s transformation into a true 21st century city. As the city continues to grow, he wishes to see Cedar Park and Philadelphia as a whole become a place where all residents can enjoy equitable access to spaces where they can move, breathe, and live freely.
ANGELA DIBATTISTE
51XX WEBSTER ST
Since 2011, Angela DiBattiste has been enamored with her neighborhood and community in Cedar Park. Drawn to Cedar Park for its diversity, inclusivity, and uniqueness, Angela has always strived to better understand the nuances of the neighborhood and support those who make it what it is. She has worked with and volunteered for the West Philadelphia YMCA, Philadelphia Folklore Project, Media Mobilizing Project, and the Scribe Video Center, to learn, educate, and advocate for youth, the queer community, and people of color. In 2015 Angela bought her first home in Cedar Park. While she has learned a lot through this experience, she eager make her investment meaningful through the advocacy of her neighbors and local business owners as a part of CPN.
Currently in graduate school for her Masters in Early Childhood Education and Infant/Toddler Mental Health, Angela DiBattiste has worked exuberantly as a Preschool Teacher at Belmont Academy Charter School for the past five years. She is excited by the opportunity to take her passion for teaching and learning to the CPN board and ultimately, to her community in Cedar Park.
FRANCHONa PRYOR
48XX BALTIMORE ST.
Franchon is owner/operator of Hair Vyce Studio at 4828 Baltimore Avenue. H V S was born here, in Cedar Park late summer of 2013. For 16 of her 24 years in cosmetology, she worked in Rittenhouse Square located in the heart of Center City. West Philly was her first choice of a location for the salon, because: (1) she owns a home in the neighborhood, (2) the location is close to Center City and close proximity of New Jersey, (3) diversity of businesses in the surrounding community.
Community service is a key qualification for consideration to become a Cedar Park NeighborsBoard member. With 24 years of cosmetology, customer service and community service come hand in hand. Her strong interpersonal skills make Franchon a great communicator. For over two years, she has served on the Baltimore Avenue Business Association, BABA Marketing, and most recently, was chosen to be its vice president. In becoming a Cedar Park Neighbors member, her contribution will be to strengthen the bond between the neighbors of Cedar Park and rejuvenating CPN’s outreach to the community. Sitting on the board would also strengthen communications between BABA and CPN. Dual seating brings the voice of the community to the ears of business owners.
STeve Dolnak
11XX S 47th St
Hi, I'm Steve! I work in IT and I've been a Cedar Park resident for over 10 years. I love Philadelphia and care deeply about my neighborhood, particularly in regard to transportation and affordable housing, and am eager to help shape it for the better in any way I can.
When I'm not at work (or hanging out in Clark Park), I can usually be found cooking, watching movies, or reminiscing about the sesame tofu from Lucky's.