Name: Valerie Burke
Birthplace: Moscow, PA.
College/University: Bachelors in Communications and Advertising from Penn State University
Family: husband, Bill Burke; miniature pinscher, Mouse
Occupation: Owner of The Dinner A’Fare
Previous Position: Creative Director at J. Walter Thompson.
Presently Resides: Scranton after living in Hilton Head, SC, two years; and Atlanta, GA, nine years.

Profiles: Valerie Burke

“My husband and I were ready for a change,” says Valerie Burke, owner of The Dinner A’Fare located at the Shoppes at Montage in Moosic. She was living in Atlanta and ready to relocate.

Her husband went on realtor.com and filled out a questionnaire identifying which traits were important to them. Air quality topped the list of important features, as well as crime rate. When finished, Burke and her husband were given a top ten list of locations in the nation that matched their needs. Number one was Madison, WI; number two was State College, PA; and number three was Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA.

After coming back to NEPA to visit her family and re-discover the area, Burke and her husband realized this was the best fit. It was actually the beautiful architecture, the friendliness of the people and the recovery plan by Scranton Mayor Christopher Doherty that confirmed their decision to move back according to Burke. She states, “It’s vibrant and growing, and there isn’t anywhere else I’d rather live right now.”

Valerie Burke isn’t the only successful person to leave and return to this area. The Scranton Chamber of Commerce created the Rediscover Scranton organization specifically to market the successes and growth potential of the area. Burke believes that “it really took moving away to appreciate the area,” and she says that she is proud to be part of the Scranton community.