Volunteer Firefighters
Brian Wrightson has spent his entire life living, working, and fighting to make life better for families across Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Whether he was umpiring youth baseball and softball, standing shoulder to shoulder with our hometown first responders, or climbing 250 feet up a mountaintop communications tower to bring internet access to his rural neighbors, Brian has never forgotten his roots or the values instilled in him as a child. He has always been the kind of person who reaches out a hand to lift up a neighbor or a stranger when they need it most.
Brian is the proud father of five children and grandfather of six, and he is married to his best friend, Maria Elisa. More than eight years ago, his family experienced an unimaginable tragedy when Brian lost his son in a car accident. He understands firsthand the overwhelming pain and the permanent ache of an empty seat at the table, an experience that continues to shape his compassion and commitment to others.
For more than 35 years, Brian’s career has followed several paths, all rooted in service. While his professional foundation is in information technology, he also devoted years to working alongside volunteers at the American Red Cross, ensuring families across NEPA were cared for when disaster struck. As an Emergency Services Director, Brian earned the respect of local first responders by always standing at their side, not only to help victims, but to make sure responders themselves had the resources and support they needed to do their jobs safely.
During his tenure with the Red Cross, Brian was recognized by FEMA and the FAA for his preparedness drills and served as a member of the Northeast Pennsylvania Counter-Terrorism Task Force. During the devastating 2011 Susquehanna River floods, Brian led teams of volunteers who sheltered and fed thousands of displaced families. In just the first five days, his teams provided more than 70,000 meals and sheltered over 3,500 people across multiple locations.
Along the way, Brian also opened and operated the Playing Fields Sports Dome, a regional hub for indoor soccer, baseball, and softball. The facility hosted the first-ever Division III Women’s Softball Regional Championship and served more than 1,500 participants each week. Brian was also a strong supporter of young musical talent, hosting local bands, some of whom are still touring today.
One of Brian’s proudest accomplishments came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to reliable internet became a lifeline. Through Firetower Communications and Icon Technologies, where he manages the rural broadband division, Brian helped bring internet access to hundreds of rural families, allowing students to stay in school, workers to stay employed, and families to stay connected. Today, he continues working to expand broadband access across rural communities.
Brian was truly raised by a team. His parents, Tony and Sharon Wrightson, worked hard to make ends meet, and his upbringing was shared with his grandmother Helen, grandfather Eddie, and his paternal grandparents, Jack and Vivian. By the age of 16, Brian was working full-time and helping build houses from the ground up. His uncles Duane, Eddie, and Charlie taught him woodworking, electrical work, plumbing, and automotive repair, skills he still uses today.
Politics has been part of Brian’s life since 1981, when his mother broke the local glass ceiling as the first woman elected to local council. But for Brian, service has never been about politics. It has always been about helping people.
Brian lives in Archbald with his wife Maria Elisa, their son Kyle, and daughter Jordan. His daughter Victoria lives in Downingtown, and Alexa lives in Scranton.
