The People Behind StateCations

Almost 25 years ago, we connected as students – some through Marching Blue Band, all as brothers of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. Now, as Penn State Alums, we are excited to be in business together, and to give back to the community we love so much. Despite the fact that the places we now call home stretch quite literally from coast to coast across the United States, our love for our Alma Mater, and for everything about Central Pennsylvania, runs deep – and it is that love which motivated us to join together in a venture that supports local business, and affords others the opportunity to come and experience this unique place. We bring a range of professional skills into our partnership. Herb Toplan (Blue Band sousaphone) majored in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and following graduation was promptly recruited by Hilton, for whom he has worked on both coasts – serving as front desk manager of their Four Diamond property in Short Hills, NJ, and the prestigious Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles (site of the Golden Globe Awards). He now lives in Colorado with his partner CJ, but we talk him into coming back to hang with us whenever he can! In addition to his Penn State Finance degree, Michael Rapach (Blue Band trumpet) holds an MBA in eCommerce, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing from Carnegie Mellon; for over 20 years he has served as Consultant, Project/Program Manager, Director, and Vice President for a host of financial and healthcare companies. He is currently President and CEO of CareFirst Community Health Plan Maryland. Mike and his wife Jennifer live in Pittsburgh. Sharon and Lew Lazarow both started out with careers in Education; Lew (Blue Band mellophone) retired from teaching high school and collegiate English after 27 years, and now spends time educating visitors to the Penn State All-Sports Museum in Beaver Stadium. Sharon left her career in Special Education for management and front-desk work; she is now the Undergraduate Academic Services Coordinator for Penn State's College of Information Sciences and Technology. Over the past few years, many things have changed about Penn State and the football program in particular. What will never change is our love for Penn State and everything about the surrounding area. From Beaver Stadium to antique shops, from fly fishing to wine tasting, from Grange Fair to concerts at the BJC, we love Central PA – and we'd love nothing more than to help you love it too. We are excited to put our skills and talents to work for you, our clients. Most sincerely yours, the members of StateCations LLC: Lew & Sharon Lazarow, Michael Rapach, Herb Toplan