Bucks County Community College To Honor 3 For Building On King’s Dream

NEWTOWN, PA — Bucks County Community College will honor three individuals with the third annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Leadership Awards on Friday, January 26.

Tom Jennings, chair of the college’s board of trustees, and associate vice president Kevin L. Antoine, J.D., will recognize leaders of corporate, humanitarian, and community organizations who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to nondiscrimination, regardless of an individual’s station in life.

Jennings says the event serves as a reminder "that the work of Dr. King continues for us all.

“We remember Dr. King for his courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to justice for all,” said Jennings. “We honor three extraordinary citizens who live his values. They are the peacemakers of our time, and they enrich our college and our community by their good example, steadfast spirits and lives of generous service.”

Antoine, the AVP of External Affairs and chief civil rights officer at the college, says the honorees are being recognized for the work they do at the local level to ensure that all residents of Bucks County have an opportunity to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

“The MLK Leadership awardees demonstrate through their life’s work that civility, character, and fairness are unique to American democracy.” said Antoine. “What’s more, this program exemplifies the College’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by reaffirming that there is goodwill in the people of Bucks County, regardless of their station in life.”

This year’s honorees are:

• Community Leader: Billie Barnes, Executive Director, Workforce & Economic Development, County of Bucks
• Corporate Leader: Bernard Tynes, Chief Experience & Impact Officer, Penn Community Bank
• Humanitarian Leader: Erin Lukoss, Executive Director/CEO, Bucks County Opportunity Council

Billie Barnes

Billie F. Barnes joined the County of Bucks in July 2020 as executive director of workforce and economic development after transitioning from serving as director of the Bucks County Workforce Development Board. As the executive director, Barnes oversees the executive management of the department, including the strategic development and implementation of department-wide, long-term planning of all administrative, fiscal, and programmatic functions. Barnes is responsible for providing strategic direction and leading collaborative efforts tailored to strengthen the alignment of Bucks County’s employment and training systems to meet industry workforce needs.

Billie Barnes

Possessing 20 years of experience leading public workforce systems in Philadelphia and Bucks County, Barnes has demonstrated a proven ability to develop and manage complex,
cross-sector partnerships; foster external relationships with community-based organizations; and successfully manage federally-funded programming for workforce Boards.

Barnes’ vast, unique, and balanced mix of skills features 26 years of workforce development experience and two decades of successfully fostering and managing relationships with employers and maintaining sound and comprehensive oversight of organizations charged with providing direct services to Pennsylvania jobseekers.

K. Bernard Tynes

As Chief Experience & Impact Officer (CXIO) at Penn Community Bank, K. Bernard Tynes is one of the area’s youngest executives and is changing the face of financial services leadership in the Philadelphia region. In his role, he has worked tirelessly to advance the $2.6-billion institution’s data-driven marketing strategy and award-winning brand, expanding its reach and impact, and helping to guide the bank’s organic growth in Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks counties, and the Lehigh Valley.

K. Bernard Tynes

A champion for expanded access to banking and lending options for diverse communities, he has overseen the creation and implementation of numerous products and services to address the needs of low- to moderate-income and historically under-served individuals and families.
Focused on building thriving communities, Tynes also leads the bank’s community investment and philanthropic strategy, serving as executive director of the Penn Community Bank Foundation which contributes more than $1,000,000 annually to nonprofits across region.

As a respected voice in the industry and community, he shares his talents with local, state, and national groups, including as a director of the Pennsylvania Banker’s Association, member of the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Advisory Council, member of the American Bankers Association’s Communications Council, director of the United Way of Bucks County, and director of Bucks County Community College Foundation.

Erin A Lukoss

Erin A. Lukoss is the Executive Director and CEO of the Bucks County Opportunity Council, located in Doylestown. Lukoss started at the agency more than 20 years ago as a self-sufficiency coach, helping to address basic needs while moving families out of poverty. Over the years she has held several leadership roles before being named CEO in 2015. Since then, Lukoss has grown the agency’s footprint by adding new community centers, partnering with nonprofit organizations, and increasing the agency’s budget over 200 percent.

Erin Lukoss

With more than 25 years in human services and nonprofit management, Lukoss is an experienced community leader, often bringing partners to the table to tackle community-wide issues. She has expertise in program development, fundraising, and fund management.

Lukoss is vice chair of the board of directors for Bucks County Workforce Development, a member of the board of directors for PA Community Action Association, and is the vice chair of the Housing Continuum of Care in Bucks County. She is a graduate of Lock Haven University and has a MS in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University. Lukoss received the “Women Who Make a Difference” Award in 2015, was named an Emerging Leader in 2016, and was listed on the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Power 100 in 2022. Lukoss lives in Bucks County with her husband of 27 years, Erik, and their two children, Mara

The third annual Bucks County Community College MLK Leadership Awards, featuring live music from the college’s Madrigal Singers and jazz faculty combo, takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 26, in the Linksz Pavilion on the Newtown Campus at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown 18940. The ceremony will be streamed live online starting at 5:30 p.m. on the college’s website, www.bucks.edu. Special thanks to the presenting sponsors, Parx Casino and Penn Community Bank.