Ben Franklin president to chair of Red Cross board
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania announced that President and CEO Angelo Valletta has been appointed chair of the American Red Cross Rivers Chapter board of directors, beginning his term in July 2025.
The Rivers Chapter serves communities across Eastern Pennsylvania with disaster relief, blood collection, health and safety training, and support for military families. As chair, Valletta will help guide the chapter’s strategic vision and expand its impact in the region.
Valletta has been involved with the Red Cross for more than a decade. He joined the Philadelphia Chapter’s Board in 2011, serving nearly three full terms, and in 2016 received the Anita Lockwood Leadership Award for advancing the organization’s mission. Since 2021, he has served on the Rivers Chapter Board.
“The Red Cross is about people helping people in their greatest time of need. At Ben Franklin, we’re helping innovators, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers build solutions that strengthen our economy and improve lives,” Valletta said. “Whether it’s a start-up advancing new health care technologies, a manufacturer improving safety equipment, or the Red Cross responding to a disaster, these efforts all serve the same goal: ensuring our communities are stronger, healthier, and better prepared for the future.”
Valletta’s appointment reflects his commitment to both economic growth and community resilience, reinforcing the link between innovation and humanitarian service.
Ben Franklin Northeast provides investment capital and business support to start-ups, manufacturers, and business incubators across a 21-county region. The statewide Ben Franklin Technology Partners network includes four independent nonprofits in Bethlehem, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and State College, and is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority. Learn more at nep.benfranklin.org.
Part of the Greater Pennsylvania Region, the Rivers Chapter serves Berks, Columbia, Lehigh, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder, and Union counties.