"I have lived and worked in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and South Carolina and now that I have moved to Northeast Pennsylvania and work at NEPA, I feel like I have found home," said Steve Zaricki, Research and Information Manager at NEPA. "Ever since I visited Lancaster during my childhood, I always wanted to live in Pennsylvania. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Region is a great region to live because it has so much to offer in terms of quality recreation activities, light vehicular traffic, clean air and being in close proximity to several major cities along the East Coast. These amenities, along with my strong interest in regional economic development research have provided me with the best environment possible."

Steve eagerly came on board in August 2002 and has been providing detailed information to many people, both externally and internally to assist in improving Northeast PA as a whole. He is no stranger to finding data and putting it to good use. Steve has either been acknowledged or has co-written many publications, which were published in Virginia and West Virginia and has also presented at an economic development conference roundtable in Orlando, Florida regarding Strengthening Communities.

With Steve's passion for the region and his outstanding skills in research and detail, he is excited to put the region's best attributes and resources together and help market it in any way he can. "My goal is to provide and interpret timely and accurate information to clientele, who would be able to use it in their quests of improving the quality of life of our region's residents," stated Steve.

Previously, Steve worked as an Extension Agent and Extension Instructor with the West Virginia University Extension Service specializing in Community Resources and Economic Development. He also served as a County Extension Agent for Community, Leadership and Economic Development with the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service in South Carolina. Prior to this experience, Steve was the Circulation Supervisor/Library Assistant at the University of Virginia, Harry Clemons Undergraduate Readers Library. Before that, he attributed over 10 years at Hechinger Company, a defunct retail home project center chain of stores. He served as a Salesperson, Garden Department Manager, Building Materials Department Manager, Management Assistant, Operations Manager and Administrative Manager during his employment there.

Steve formerly did extensive study in the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky. He obtained a Master of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics with an emphasis in Rural Economic Development from West Virginia University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics with an emphasis in Agribusiness Management from the University of Maryland, College Park.

In Steve's spare time, he enjoys collecting unique music, watching college football and basketball, (he favors the University of Maryland Terrapins being that he was a high school scout for the football coaching staff) and restoring antique cars.

Steve currently resides in Nanticoke with his wife, Melodee, their dog and 3 cats.