The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP-NEP) has appointed Melanie A. Kohler as Chief Technology Officer.

Kohler succeeds Aaron B. Balch, who will retire June 30.

In her new role, Kohler will identify, support, and oversee the information technology (IT) infrastructure for the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania and its business technology incubators, Ben Franklin TechVentures and the Bloomsburg Regional Technology Center.

She will explore IT approaches and improvements for BFTP-NEP and its incubator companies, lead the IT staff, manage technology vendor relationships and serve on BFTP-NEP’s leadership team, reporting to President and CEO Angelo J. Valletta.

“We thank Aaron Balch for his 20-plus years of outstanding work and are delighted to welcome Melanie Kohler as Ben Franklin’s new Chief Technology Officer,” said Valletta.

“Melanie brings comprehensive IT experience and a positive and forward-thinking attitude that will continue to help Ben Franklin staff streamline our work through technology.”

Kohler was Director of Information Technology at Living Branches, Souderton. Prior to that she was Senior Director, Technology and Service, LeadingAge, Mechanicsburg.

She was Director of Information Technology, Phoebe Services, Allentown, for 13 years, and went on to launch and lead its new company service line, Pathstones by Phoebe, as its Executive Director.

Kohler received an MBA in Management from DeSales University and a BS in Business-Healthcare Administration from Cedar Crest College. She attained Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt Certification from Purdue University. Kohler lives in the Lehigh Valley with her husband.