Meet Ava
Ava Radel, a finance major at Virginia Commonwealth University, is interning in the accounting department at Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services.
At VCU, Ava originally was a science major but after working with numbers and because of her love of math, she switched her major to finance.
Ava is looking to build connections, gain office experience, and learn from professionals. Her father Larry Radel first introduced Ava to Mericle, where he is an architect.
When asked the question, “Why Mericle?” Ava responded, “I love the company culture. Everyone is welcoming and very open to helping. The office space is also beautiful which makes work a lot more enjoyable.”
Ava attended Lake Lehman High School where she excelled in the classroom as well as the playing field. Ava was a four-year starter on the field hockey team which led to her commitment to VCU.
Outside of the office, Ava spends her time hanging out with friends, playing field hockey, and training at FAME Strength and Conditioning.
Meet Brady
Brady Hourigan, a student at the University of Alabama, has joined Mericle’s development team as a summer intern. At Alabama, Brady majors in finance and economics.
While at Mericle, Brady will be assisting with asset management and conducting research for the development department. He is looking forward to working in a good environment, building connections, and learning commercial real estate.
“I chose Mericle to learn about all aspects of a business,” Brady said. “This opportunity allows me to see first-hand how a business operates, which is knowledge inaccessible to me in the classroom. I am very grateful for this internship experience and excited to spend my summer at Mericle.”
Brady heard about Mericle through friends and family and is also familiar with the company by driving by its many properties in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
In his free time, you can find Brady at the beach with friends or on a trip to New York City.
Meet Nick
Nick Mirigliani of Swoyersville PA has joined the development team at Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services for a summer internship. Nick is a computer science major and visual arts minor at Stevens Institute of Technology and plans on graduating in May of 2026.
“I was searching for an internship where I could see the different sides of computer programming and am grateful Mericle is giving me that opportunity, said Nick. I am excited to learn more about the crossroads between real estate and computer science.”
“I am looking forward to using my skills in application development on various project plans throughout the summer,” he said.
Nick is on the running club and rock-climbing club at school.
Outside of the office, you can find Nick running in a 5k, playing the piano, or spending time with friends and family. He is excited for his trip this summer to Sea Isle City, New Jersey.
After graduating, Nick intends to stay in the field of computer science and is looking forward to using his newly learned skills in the workplace.
Meet Joe P.
Joseph Pettinato, a student at the Law School of Widener University, has begun his summer internship in the legal department at Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services.
Joe attended Saint Joseph’s University where he earned a degree in finance. There he took part in the Real Estate Finance Society where he discovered his passion for real estate. He is now in his second year of law school and is a member of the Real Estate Society at Widener.
Joe learned of the internship through his good friend Cullen Chesnick who works in Mericle’s energy department, as well as from Cullen’s father Tom who is the head of the legal department and also a Widener Law graduate.
Throughout the course of his internship, Joe hopes to gain knowledge in the fields of corporate laws and regulation and get a better handle on legal writing and research efficiency. After graduation, Joe plans to pursue a career in corporate law using the knowledge and experience gained from his internship.
When asked, “Why Mericle?” Joe responded: “I knew it would be a great opportunity working with such an experienced legal department. Most of the people who work for Mericle have been here for years and I think that says a lot about a company.”
During his free time, Joe enjoys golfing, lifting weights, and hanging out with his friends. A lifelong resident of NEPA, he loves the area and hopes to make an impact on the community the same way it has impacted him.
Meet Joe S.
Joe Sanfilippo, a student at Marywood University, has joined the design services team at Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services for a summer internship. Joe is an architecture major with a sustainable design minor and is set to graduate in May of 2025.
Originally from Wyoming, PA, Joe grew up building things with his father, which is where his love for architecture began.
“I was searching for a summer internship where I could use my knowledge and skills in a business environment when a professor at school told me about the internship opportunities at Mericle,” Joe said.”
Joe plans on continuing his education at Marywood University where he hopes to learn even more about architecture and sustainable design.
Outside of the office, you can find Joe fishing, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Joe is excited for his trip to Maine this summer.
After graduating, Joe plans on obtaining his master’s degree. He then wants to work in the area at a business where he can focus on sustainability and passive design architecture.
Meet Chase
Chase Taylor, a student at Colgate University, has started a summer internship with DiscoverNEPA.
Chase is majoring in Political Science and Government. She is also pursuing a minor in Art and Art History, while considering a double minor in Computer Science. After graduation, Chase plans on attending law school with a possible concentration in corporate law.
“I had never considered political science as a potential major until I took my first political science class, Intro to Comparative Politics, and loved it, said Chase. I have developed such an appreciation for the different political systems of our world and am fascinated by the intricacies of the law.”
Chase is a member of the Colgate Women in Business Club, the Colgate Ski Team, club field hockey, and the school’s satirical magazine, “The Rag.”
Throughout the course of her internship, Chase hopes to learn the ins and outs of the operations of a brand like DiscoverNEPA.
“I don’t have a great understanding yet of the operational systems in place for organizations like DiscoverNEPA and Mericle, she said. As someone who is potentially interested in corporate law, I find learning about each person’s role in a company, as well as how everyone works together, very interesting and informative.”
While at DiscoverNEPA she has written many short articles for the “Things to Do” section of discovernepa.com, participated in video shoots for TikTok, filmed content, and helped stage scenes.
“One of the things I love most about NEPA is its natural beauty, Chase said. Between our sprawling woodlands and many bodies of water, there are many places to explore and relax. I love that no matter where I am headed, when I drive somewhere I am sure to travel through some beautiful areas.”
During her free time, Chase enjoys staying active by going to the gym, walking her dogs, and playing sports like field hockey and lacrosse. She loves to create art using acrylics, watercolors, graphite, colored pencils, ink, and charcoal. She also has a love for photography and reading, and spends a bit of time every day taking photos and working her way through a book. She is an avid fan of the television show Survivor and often spends the end of each day watching an episode.
Meet Cate
Cate Griffin, a student at Trinity College, is interning this summer with DiscoverNEPA where she will be writing web articles, helping with video and social media shoots, and going on adventures with the team.
Cate majors in World Literature and Culture Studies. She chose this route because of her interest in literature and foreign cultures. Her goal upon graduation is to become an independent writer and do something related to writing or publishing.
While at Trinity, Cate is the PR executive of Trinity’s Model UN club, a staff member at the Vernacular literary magazine, a member of the campus book club, and part of a mentorship program between Trinity students and a local public middle school.
When asked what she is looking forward to most during her internship, Cate said, “I love going on adventures with the DiscoverNEPA team, and I really enjoy the hands-on aspect of the internship. Most internships don’t really give you the chance to do things like going on goat hikes and visiting waterparks for the day.”
“I think there’s a lot of natural beauty in NEPA, and I think it’s a very peaceful and family-oriented place to live,” she added.
Outside of work, Cate loves to read, write, and travel.
Meet Margaret
Margaret Mihalick has joined DiscoverNEPA as a summer intern. She is a student at Fordham University with a double major in Digital Technology and Emerging Media. She is also minoring in Journalism and Sociology.
Margaret chose her majors because she is interested in studying and exploring the cultural and ethical impacts of the Internet. She said this is an important field because society is unsure of the internet’s long-term effects on contemporary life. She is interested in pursuing online creation and humanitarian studies.
“I think pairing sociology and journalism is a perfect combination for understanding and addressing social issues, while being able to effectively communicate them,” she said.
Margaret has written and edited for Fordham’s free speech newspaper, “The Paper,” and a creative writing group called, “The Ampersand.” She also attends meetings for Fordham’s Marketing Association and plays intramural tennis and basketball.
Since joining DiscoverNEPA, Margaret has added listings to its website, completed a voice-over for an Instagram and TikTok reel, and helped with a photo and video shoot along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.
“I am excited to discover new elements and activities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I have lived here my whole life and feel familiar with the area, yet I am already discovering new events and businesses, said Margaret. I am also looking forward to learning more about content creation tools and creating different content for the DiscoverNEPA website.”
“I think it’s really charming in NEPA, added Margaret. I have always been a homebody and someone who has loved growing up here. I go to school in New York City which is a very different lifestyle, so coming back home feels extra special because I love the drastic change in scenery.”
Outside of the office, you can find Margaret practicing film photography, cooking, and doing yoga. She plans to take up running and someday complete a half marathon.
After graduating, Margaret hopes to work in publishing or marketing. “I am really interested in the intersection of writing and digital content creation,” she said.
Meet Syra
Syra Reza, a student at Penn State University, has joined Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services for a summer internship. A Pittston native, Syra is majoring in marketing with a minor in international business.
Syra learned about Mericle from a close friend, who had completed an internship with the company in the past.
“I was looking for an internship where I could learn about the different aspects of marketing, said Syra. I am grateful that Mericle is giving me this opportunity.”
Syra is the Overall and Treasurer of her THON organization at Penn State. She also enjoys playing club volleyball.
Syra plans to continue her education at Penn State with classes that will advance her understanding of marketing and international business so she can apply it in the workplace.
Outside of the office, Syra enjoys attending concerts and spending time with friends and family. She is looking forward to her trip to Ocean City, Maryland this summer.
After her time at Penn State, Syra intends to stay in the field of marketing and is excited to see what job opportunities await.
Meet Chris
Chris Kane, a student at the University of Scranton, is doing his summer internship in the marketing department at Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services.
Chris attended Abington Heights High School where he discovered a love for history. He completed several years of study at Santa Monica College in California.
Throughout the course of his internship, Chris hopes to gain knowledge in the fields of marketing and real estate development. After graduating from the University of Scranton in 2025, Chris hopes to use what he learns in his internship to begin a career in real estate.
When asked, “Why Mericle?” Chris responded: “I love the values and everything the company has to offer. Mericle is self-sufficient and always does the best work around.”
During his free time, Chris enjoys golfing, fishing, and trying new foods. An entrepreneur, he owns and manages a landscaping business in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Meet Tyler
Tyler Hoedl, a Management major at Wilkes University, has joined the marketing department at Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services where he will complete a marketing internship.
Tyler hopes to use the internship to sharpen his management skills and to adapt to a new environment.
A life-long resident of the Wilkes Barre area, Tyler sought out the internship because he is familiar with Mericle’s long history of making a positive impact on Northeastern Pennsylvania and its communities.
“Being in such a good work environment has been my favorite part of my internship at Mericle. I am excited to come in every day and be a part of the team.”
In his free time, Tyler enjoys fishing, hanging out with his friends, and coaching local youth baseball for the Baseball U travel team. He is a former college baseball player and looks forward to teaching the game to area youth.
Tyler has always been fond of NEPA and is excited to be part of a company that shares the same love for the area. His favorite aspects of NEPA include the food, especially the pizza, and the four seasons the area gets to experience. His sister Sherie is a member of Mericle’s DiscoverNEPA team.