About Historic
Old Westmont

Perched above an Appalachian steel town in Western Pennsylvania, Old Westmont is a National Register Historic District known for its tree-lined streets, distinctive period architecture, and strong community spirit. Founded in the late 1800s after the Johnstown Flood devastated living conditions in the valley, it remains a vibrant example of small-town life rooted in history, beauty, and civic pride.

Today, Old Westmont faces new challenges. While its historic homes remain relatively affordable, deferred maintenance, absentee ownership, and deteriorating properties threaten the neighborhood's architectural character and long-term vitality. Preserving what makes Old Westmont special requires thoughtful investment and active stewardship.

As artificial intelligence and automation continue reshaping industries, our region’s economic future remains uncertain. Yet the Laurel Highlands hold remarkable potential: abundant water, pristine land, natural beauty, and a sense of enduring Americana. With care and vision, these assets can form the foundation for a resilient and thriving future.

We invite you to visit, explore, film and invest your talents in Old Westmont, helping ensure that our neighborhood remains a vital part of the Laurel Highlands’ future.

Our Steering Committee

WEF is led by fourth generation residents Tim McIlwain and Hannah Hager Phenicie.

Timothy McIlwain (Elected Borough Official)

Tim is a lifelong Johnstown native and a fourth-generation resident of Westmont. He currently serves on Westmont Borough Council and is the President of McIlwain School Bus Lines, Inc., along with other business ventures throughout the Johnstown region. Tim and his wife, Chelsi—a Westmont Hilltop alumna—live on Fayette Street in Old Westmont with their three young children and their dog, Murph.

In 2021, Tim and Chelsi purchased and began revitalizing the historic Tioga Street Market, transforming what could have become another blighted property into a cornerstone of renewal in Old Westmont. Tim is deeply committed to preserving the historic beauty of Westmont and understands the shared responsibility we all have in keeping our neighborhood clean, safe, and vibrant. He believes the Westmont Endowment Fund will be a key part of that mission.

Hannah Hager Phenicie (Preservation and Development)

Hannah Hager Phenicie is a Johnstown native and fourth-generation resident of Westmont. She holds a Master of Fine Arts, and a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Columbia University in New York. Before returning home during the pandemic, she lived and worked in New York and Los Angeles, where she witnessed firsthand the cycles of disinvestment and blight. She believes Old Westmont still has an opportunity to address blight before it becomes irreversible, but doing so will require sustained action, thoughtful zoning reform and strong community participation.

Hannah and her husband, Nick Potter, have restored 414 Bucknell Avenue, one of the earliest constructed Victorians in Old Westmont, to reopen as a small business under the borough’s new overlay district. Allstate Insurance opened its doors there in October 2026 with the support of the Zoning Hearing Board, Borough Council and the neighborhood at large.

As a mother and a developer, she is committed to preserving the neighborhood’s character for her children’s generation and those that follow.

2026-2027 Committee Members

Kyle Kunkle (Business Development and Strategic Leadership)

Kyle Kunkle is Vice President of Laurel Holdings Inc., a third-generation local family business. He oversees five diversified companies in manufacturing, infrastructure services, and industrial contracting. A Duke University graduate with a degree in Psychology and certification in Predictive Index analysis, Kyle brings a data-driven, people-first approach to leadership. He is also a board member of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and serves on the board of JARI (Johnstown Area Regional Industries).

Kyle is passionate about revitalizing communities through strategic investment, emotional intelligence and long-term relationship-building. His leadership philosophy emphasizes empowering teams, fostering innovation and contributing to the sustainable growth of the region.

Dr. Leah Spangler (Education and Nonprofit Leader)

Dr. Leah Spangler is the founding CEO of The Learning Lamp and Ignite Education Solutions, a Johnstown-based nonprofit dedicated to engaging all students with the support they need to succeed. Under her leadership, the organization serves more than 36,000 students annually across 51 school districts and 19 counties in Pennsylvania. A 38-year resident of Westmont Borough, Dr. Spangler has deep personal ties to the community, including grandchildren who live in the Borough.

Dr. Spangler is eager to bring her extensive educational and nonprofit leadership experience to the steering committee, with a goal of strengthening the long-term health and well-being of Westmont. Her commitment is fueled by a desire to help ensure a vibrant, sustainable future for the community her family calls home.

William J. Hargreaves (Financial Advisor)

Bill Hargreaves returned to Johnstown in 2011 and purchased a home just two blocks from where he was raised. A dedicated financial advisor with Raymond James, he brings both professional expertise and a strong sense of local commitment to his work. Since returning to the area, Bill has been actively involved with the Young Professionals of the Alleghenies, the American Heart Association, and served as a Westmont Borough Councilor. He currently participates in the Johnstown Symphony Chorus, the Westmont Hilltop Alumni Association, the Westmont Hilltop Education Foundation, and remains deeply committed to his church family at First Lutheran.

Bill looks forward to continuing his efforts to strengthen and support the Westmont community.

Marc McCall (Borough Council President)

Biography coming soon.