Deborah L. Noel, Ed.D. — President
Appointed by: Commissioner Lucine Sihelnik
Term Expires: 12/26
Debbie, a retired educator, dedicated her career to serving students within Chester County Intermediate Unit programs. She advanced from an emotional support teacher to Dean of Students, and ultimately spent her final twelve years as a principal. Following her retirement, Debbie continued to foster academic growth by serving as a dissertation chair for doctoral candidates at Immaculata University. With her understanding that literacy education is the cornerstone of all learning, she proudly contributes to the BCPL Advisory Board. Debbie and her husband, Chris, reside in Robeson Township.
Helen Flynn — Vice President
Appointed by: Commissioner Michael Rivera
Term Expires: 12/25
Helen Flynn is a librarian who retired from the position of Director at Mifflin Community Library in 2017, after more than 11 years in the job. Being a librarian is her third, and favorite, career. Helen was expected to become an English teacher like the rest of her family, but while in the PhD program at the University of Michigan, she discovered that teaching and scholarship were not her passions. When she moved to Gettysburg, Helen ended up working for 12 years at New Cumberland Army Depot as a program analyst in a productivity office within the Comptroller’s division.
By the time her husband’s job moved them to Illinois, Helen had figured out that being a librarian was her next career, and she enrolled in the MS in Library Science program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. When Helen moved to Reading, she was lucky enough to be chosen for the Mifflin Community Library job. Since retirement, Helen has had the pleasure of filling in as a library assistant or interim director at several of the county libraries, and served as a board member of one of those libraries.
Arleny Pimentel — Secretary
Appointed by: Commissioner Lucine Sihelnik
Term Expires: 12/26
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, the NYC public libraries became a second home for Arleny. Books allowed her to create a safe space during times of great transitions and programming at her local library gave Arleny a space to build relationships and connect with her community. After graduating from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY with a degree in English Adolescent Education, Arleny relocated to Reading, PA.
For the past seven years she has worked throughout the community with families. Arleny is currently working for the Reading School District as their Family Engagement Facilitator and with Barrio Alegria to change the narratives in the community. She serves on the Berks Community Health Center Board and volunteers her time on different initiatives. Arleny and her husband married in the Reading Public Library in 2018.
Mary Ellen Wells — Treasurer
Appointed by: Commissioner Christian Leinbach
Term Expires: 12/26
Mary Ellen Wells is an Associate Professor of Business Law at Alvernia University. Her legal scholarship focuses on the protection of speech, as well as employment, marketing, and corporate law. Professor Wells has co-authored several papers as well as a book on strategic planning. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, and Boston University School of Law, Prof. Wells first practiced as a tax attorney in Boston at Touche-Ross (now Deloitte & Touche). She then moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, to practice law at a firm that afforded her the ability to specialize in banking and tax law. After having two children and moving to Pennsylvania, Professor Wells decided that she would enjoy using her degrees in an academic setting more than in the practice of law. She became a full-time faculty member at Alvernia University in Reading, serving as Chair of the Business Department for eight years and now as Faculty Council President. She has served as a board member of the Friends of the Reading Hospital for five years, currently chairing the Bylaws Committee.
Mary Ellen’s love of libraries began in early childhood and was fostered by her work as a library page in Boxford, Massachusetts, in early high school. Mary Ellen resides with her husband, Greg, and their mini Bernedoodle, Tito, in Wyomissing, where they raised their two children.
Jason Brudereck
Appointed by: Commissioner Christian Leinbach
Term Expires: 12/27
A lifelong patron of the Berks County Public Libraries, Jason Brudereck has read countless novels but still insists his favorites are The Mysteries of Pittsburgh and Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon, who even signed a copy for him, thereby validating Jason’s literary taste forever.
Jason is a communications consultant who has spun stories, crafted campaigns, and occasionally explained AP style to beleaguered colleagues. He previously led public and media relations at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in Delaware and at Berks County Community Foundation. Before that, he worked as a reporter and columnist for the Reading Eagle, The Patriot Ledger (Massachusetts), the Naples Daily News (Florida), and The Associated Press.
He has also volunteered with several area nonprofits, including serving as board president of the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks, which sounds like a pretentious book club but is actually a nonprofit that empowers lives through literacy and workforce development.
Robb Walters
Appointed by: Commissioner Michael Rivera
Term Expires: 12/25
Robb Walters is a current middle school librarian at Conrad Weiser Middle School, where he is entering his fourth year. A lifelong resident of Berks County, Robb began his career in librarianship in 2000 and has remained dedicated to fostering literacy, technology integration, and lifelong learning throughout his career in education.
Robb earned his Bachelor of Science in Library Science from Kutztown University, where he was also a member of the Golden Bears football team. He was proud to be the second football player in the university’s history to graduate with a degree in Library Science. He later went on to earn two master’s degrees from Wilkes University—one in Classroom Technology and the other in Educational Development and Strategies.
With over two decades of experience as a librarian, Robb brings a unique perspective that blends academics, athletics, and public service. He is honored to serve as a trustee on the Berks County Public Library Board and is committed to strengthening the reach and relevance of libraries throughout the county.
Ryan A. Breisch
Appointed by: Commissioner Christian Leinbach
Term Expires: 12/27
Ryan Breisch started working with the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks in 1993, serving as a volunteer tutor. In November 1995, he joined the staff as a curriculum developer and ESL coordinator. In January 2010, Ryan became the Council’s 3rd Executive Director. Ryan holds a B.A. in Spanish from Kutztown University, a Nonprofit Management Certificate from The Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University and served as the President of the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education and the Reading Public Library. Ryan currently serves as a member of the Berks County Workforce Development Board, and lives in Sinking Spring with his wife and three sons.