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Front row, seated (l to r): Deb Baughman, Bedford County commissioner; Scott Rastetter, Erie County councilmember; Loretta Spielvogel, Lawrence County commissioner; Becky Ann Bartlett, Northampton County deputy director of administration. Back row (l to r): Krista Gromalski, Pike County communications director; Colleen Dawson, Somerset County commissioner; Elizabeth Arnold, Susquehanna County commissioner; Josh Maxwell, Chester County commissioner; Molly Mudd, Esq., Adams County solicitor; Stacy Richards, Union County commissioner; Michael Rivera, Berks County commissioner.
The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Center for Excellence in County Leadership (CEL), a premier professional development program for county officials, recently graduated 11 leaders from its intensive two and a half-day training program.
The 2021 graduates include Elizabeth M. Arnold, Susquehanna County commissioner; Becky Ann Bartlett, Northampton County deputy director of administration; Deb Baughman, Bedford County commissioner; Colleen R. Dawson, Somerset County commissioner; Krista Gromalski, Pike County communications director; Josh Maxwell, Chester County commissioner; Molly R. Mudd, Esquire, Adams County solicitor; Scott Rastetter, Erie County councilmember; Stacy Richards, Union County commissioner; Michael Rivera, Berks County commissioner; and, Loretta Spielvogel, Lawrence County commissioner.
CEL training focuses on fostering individual growth through interactive and high-level classroom training aimed at improving participants’ communication, management and leadership skills. CEL includes intense classes in styles of leadership, managerial versatility, interpersonal dynamics, crisis communication, media management, daily communication problem solving, decision making and other areas.
The program is open to county commissioners or council members, chief clerks, county administrators and solicitors of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Key county leaders and department heads are also eligible. The 2021 CEL program was produced by The Professional Edge, Inc. (www.theprofessionaledgeinc.com).
Program sponsors include: PCoRP, The Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool; PComp, PA Counties Workers’ Compensation Trust; CCAP UC Trust, Unemployment Compensation Trust; Cafardi Ferguson Wyrick Weis + Gabriel, llc (CFWW+G); and, Campbell Durrant, P.C.
The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) is the voice of county government; a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. CCAP members include county commissioners, council members, county executives, administrators, chief clerks and solicitors.
County governments are responsible for a wide variety of critical services, including provision of human services (i.e., mental health, intellectual disabilities, juvenile justice, children and youth, long-term care, drug and alcohol services, housing) to people in need in our communities. In addition, counties are responsible for emergency management and 911 services, administration of the courts and corrections system, elections, maintenance of county bridges, and the county property assessment rolls, and are also involved in environmental and land use planning, protection of open space and community and economic development.
CCAP strengthens the counties’ abilities to govern their own affairs and improve the well-being and quality of life for every Pennsylvania resident. It advocates for favorable state and federal legislation, programs and policies on behalf of counties. CCAP is committed to service excellence through education, information, insurance, technology and other programs that support effective county government. Founded in 1886, CCAP is an affiliate of the National Association of Counties. For more information about Pennsylvania counties and CCAP, log on to www.pacounties.org and visit CCAP’s Twitter page @PACountiesGR.