The Berks Alumni Society has honored three of its members with awards. Gregory Flemming received the Volunteer Service Award; Timothy Hillert, Outstanding Young Alumnus; and Shawn Hinkle, Alumni Achievement Award.
The Berks Alumni Society has honored three of its members with awards. Gregory Flemming received the Volunteer Service Award; Timothy Hillert, Outstanding Young Alumnus; and Shawn Hinkle, Alumni Achievement Award. The awards were presented on during a ceremony on April 26.
Gregory Flemming with A. Michele Blood, former Alumni Society president
Volunteer Service Award: Gregory Flemming, retired IBM executive
Gregory Flemming, who earned an engineering degree from Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute in 1958 and a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Penn State in 1960, has received the Volunteer Service Award, an award given to an individual who has represented the University and its mission and significantly contributed to fostering advancement at Penn State Berks by dedicating his or her talent, time, and resources to the college.
After retiring from a distinguished career at IBM, Flemming recognized the need for new business and innovation in Berks County. He helped to establish the Berks Learning Factory and was a key influencer in the creation of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor program at Penn State Berks.
Through his support, the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center has helped to groom and develop several student entrepreneurs who continue to run successful start-up businesses as alumni. Flemming has taken on the role of mentor to a number of students. In particular, he has played a crucial role in helping Berks alumnus Kyle Moyer and his partners to develop and promote their drone business, Onuku Industries.
Flemming serves on several advisory boards at Penn State Berks including the main college advisory board, as well as the advisory council for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor.
Outstanding Young Alumnus: Timothy Hillert, CEO of BenXchange
Timothy Hillert, a 2009 graduate with a bachelor of science in business and a 2014 graduate of Penn State’s executive MBA program, was honored with the Outstanding Young Alumnus award, which recognizes an emerging alumni leader, under age 35, who has displayed extraordinary loyalty and service to Penn State Berks and has demonstrated outstanding professional, community, and educational accomplishments.
Hillert is the founder and chief executive officer for BenXchange, a new software company that aims to deliver a user-friendly, fully automated interface that allows subscribers to search for items such as health and dental insurance, retirement options, workers compensation, long-term care insurance, human resource solutions and more.
Hillert is also the co-founder of Directors and Officers Insurance, which provides services for profit and nonprofit companies. Their goal is to help find the right executive policy to help protect board members.
In addition, he also serves on the Business Development Committee for the National Investment Banking Association, as well as the advisory council for the Penn State Berks Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor. He also served as past president of the Berks Alumni Society.
Shawn Hinkle with A. Michele Blood, former Alumni Society president
Alumni Achievement Award: Shawn Hinkle, director of IT operations, STV Inc.
The Alumni Achievement Award was presented to Shawn Hinkle, a 2001 graduate with a bachelor of science in computing technology and science. This award recognizes a Penn State Berks alumnus who exemplifies leadership in his or her profession and contribution to the betterment of society, and demonstrates extraordinary professional and community accomplishments.
Hinkle is the director of information technology operations for STV Inc. In this role, he is responsible for the overall leadership of the national IT operations team for STV’s 40 locations and 2,100 employees across the United States.
An active leader with the Rotary International District 7430 Camp Neidig for 20 years, Hinkle has served as the director since 2007. Camp Neidig is an annual leadership development camp for high school seniors.
In addition, Hinkle has served as an adjunct faculty instructor in IT and business courses at Penn State Berks for the past four years. In 2010, he revitalized the Berks County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. He has served in numerous roles on the Penn State Alumni Council at University Park, and is currently a member of the Executive Board.
