Maryann Misiolek – Building Strong Foundations in Life and Real Estate

In the heart of Central Pennsylvania, Maryann Misiolek has spent more than two decades shaping communities one property at a time. As the owner and operator of MarDav Enterprises, she has built a reputation for turning neglected spaces into homes with heart. “We were doing property rehabilitation long before it became a TV trend,” she says with a smile.

Her company, founded with her husband J. David (“Dave”) Misiolek in 2001, focuses on the rehabilitation, rental, and resale of residential properties across the region. From the outside, it looks like a successful business story. But for Maryann, it’s more than that, it’s about improving lives, preserving neighborhoods, and creating stability through hard work and consistency.

From Centralia roots to Lehigh leadership

Maryann grew up in a very large, close-knit family with roots in Centralia, Pennsylvania. Her father, Steve Comarnitsky, ran M&S Auto Center in Hummelstown, and her mother, Rose Comarnitsky, worked at the Reese’s candy factory in Hershey. Her father was one of six children and her mom, one of twelve. Maryann and her two younger sisters were brought up knowing that hard work, dedication, and talent will lead to success, there are no shortcuts.

At Lower Dauphin High School, Maryann was active in tennis, Taekwondo, choir, and the Ecology Club. She worked summer jobs at Hersheypark and McDonald’s, learning early how to balance time, commitment, and responsibility.

Her academic path led her to Lehigh University, where she earned both her bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a master’s degree in Management Science. She was an Iacocca Scholar, a Presidential Scholar, and a member of the Society of Women Engineers. “Lehigh gave me structure,” she says. “Engineering taught me how to solve problems logically, while management taught me how to work with people.”

Building MarDav Enterprises: A hands-on approach

In 2001, while working concurrently in corporate roles, Maryann and her husband, Dave, decided to create their own path. With both of their engineering, operational, and finance backgrounds, they launched MarDav Enterprises, LLC, based in Hummelstown. The goal was simple, take distressed properties and bring them back to life.

MarDav quickly became known for its hands-on style. “We don’t mind getting our hands dirty,” Maryann says. “We’re involved from start to finish, planning, budgeting, repairs, and design.” Together with her sister, Realtor Trudy Stewart, they jokingly call themselves the “Sold Sisters.”

The couple’s projects blend practicality and creativity, focusing on functionality and quality over flash. “We want our work to last,” she says. “It’s not about flipping for quick profit, it’s about improving neighborhoods and giving families places they’re proud to live in.”

Lessons in consistency and dedication

Maryann attributes her long-term success to consistency and perseverance. “You can’t fake hard work,” she says. “You have to show up every day, even when it’s hard.” Her engineering mindset keeps her organized, while her finance background ensures every project stays grounded in reality.

She also stresses the value of planning early. “My advice to younger generations is simple,” she says. “Don’t waste the decade of your twenties. Time is on your side. Work hard and invest in yourself early so you can enjoy stability later. You want to build a life where you work to live, not live to work.”

That philosophy guides both her business and her personal life. After years of long days on job sites, she now balances her work with family, travel, and community service. “My motivation used to come from within,” she reflects. “Now, it comes from my family. They remind me what all of this is for.”

Community first: A life of service

Outside of business, Maryann gives her time and leadership to her community. She serves as Chairperson of the Helping Hands Committee and as a member of the Finance Council at St. Ann Byzantine Catholic Church in Harrisburg. Through Helping Hands, she coordinates local outreach programs that support families in need. “It’s about doing the right thing, even when no one is looking,” she says, echoing one of her guiding principles.

She’s also volunteered for the Ronald McDonald House and Silence of Mary Home and has been a driving force behind Lower Dauphin Girls Youth Basketball, serving as Director of Operations for five years. Add to that her role with the Tennis Booster Club, the Girls Soccer Booster Club, and a vendor space at Treasures on Main, it’s clear she thrives in motion.

“Consistency, dedication, and community, that’s how you build something meaningful,” she says. “Whether it’s a house, a team, or a life.”

The road ahead

As she looks toward the future, Maryann continues to expand MarDav’s impact across Central Pennsylvania. She remains grounded in her roots and driven by her belief that real success comes from integrity and effort. “We’re proud of what we’ve built,” she says. “But more importantly, we’re proud of how we built it.”

Her story is one of steady growth, not overnight success, a reminder that strong foundations, whether in concrete or character, stand the test of time.

For more about Maryann Misiolek, visit her community involvement through St. Ann Byzantine Catholic Church.