Bidding farewell to John Sider after 15 years at Ben Franklin CNP

John Sider, vice president of business development for Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania, is starting a new role as senior development officer with Mennonite Economic Development Associates, an Ontario-based nonprofit that provides financing and technical assistance to develop sustainable agriculture in developing economies around the world. 

He will be working in the philanthropy and public engagement division. His last day in the office with Ben Franklin Tech Partners is May 23. 

John’s energy, leadership and experience on a wide range of issues have been so helpful to Ben Franklin and its portfolio of clients. He has been instrumental in our growth and the success of so many entrepreneurs and startups throughout our service territory. 

Sider has worked in and for Ben Franklin programs since 2010, starting as managing director of statewide initiatives. He previously was deputy secretary for technology investment under former Gov. Ed Rendell. 

While at the Department of Community and Economic Development under Rendell, Sider played a key role in delivering the then-governor’s $335 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund to technology businesses and projects throughout the state. 

In an era of declining appropriations, Sider streamlined key programs, reduced duplication, and redeployed nearly $20 million of savings and investment income toward Pennsylvania innovation. 

As a DCED deputy secretary, Sider also supported the commonwealth’s successful efforts to win more than $138 million of federal grant funding in the areas of broadband deployment, technology commercialization, and energy efficiency. 

Before he worked for the state, Sider helped establish a Harrisburg office for what was then known as Community First Fund, now Finanta.   

We wish him the absolute best in this new endeavor!!! 

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