First Posted: 3/21/2012

During his college days, Peter J. Danchak worked 35 hours per week at PNC Bank in the collection department, which allowed him the opportunity to pay his way through The University of Scranton. As an accounting major there, his personal goal was to work as a CPA at a large accounting firm. In December of his senior year, Danchak was offered a position at the Philadelphia branch of tax consultant firm Peat Marwick .

But fate intervened and circumstances led to his continued commitment to Northeast Pa. Through his part- time job at the bank, he had a chance encounter with a senior vice president who upon hearing Danchak’s plans to accept the job in Philadelphia, guided Danchak to the bank’s management training program.

Twenty-six years later, the Clarks Summit resident who had no intention of being a banker, serves as president of PNC Bank Northeast Region. There he handles responsibilities for 11 counties, including the Lehigh Valley, Pocono, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton, Bloomsburg and Danville areas.

“PNC is a very solid bank that has remained committed to the communities we service in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” he said.

“I always worked hard and gave 100 percent at every position I held at PNC. I never asked for even one promotion in my career. I was fortunate to work with great leaders such as Dave Tressler, Larry Stetler, Pete Classen, plus many others over the years.”

As president, Danchak said he focuses on what’s important: customers, employees, communities and creating value for shareholders. Active in the community, Danchak serves as co-chair of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council of Pre-K Counts in Pennsylvania. He is a member of the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the ARC of Northeastern Pennsylvania Foundation, the Luzerne Foundation, the Northeast Region Cancer Institute, the Regional Chamber Partnership and Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company.

Danchak is married to Maggie Koehler, the former Assistant CEO and CFO of Wyoming Valley Health Care System in Wilkes-Barre. He has a daughter Katelyn Danchak, 21 and step -children Paris, 12 and Trey, 10, both students at Abington Heights Middle School. His first wife, Pat Reilly, died a few years ago after a long illness. He and Koehler married in September of 2010.


Meet the President

Interest and hobbies: Weekends in New York City (Central Park, Broadway shows and Italian restaurants) and sports.

I’m inspired by: My high school sweetheart, who I later married. Despite her being diagnosed with a terminal illness in her mid-30s, she choose to live her remaining years to the fullest and treasured each day as a gift from God.

Favorite place in the world: At our shore house, watching a beautiful sunset.

Favorite book: “The Essential Vince Lombardi”

Greatest achievement: My daughter Katelyn, who is junior at Penn State University.

Perfect Saturday: Barbecue by the pool, cold beer, game of football with friends and family.

Can’t leave home without: iPhone