Jon has served as a County Commissioner in Centre County since 2008. He is Chair of the Board of Commissioners. Centre County Government is the 6th largest employer in Centre County with almost 900 full and part time employees in over 30 departments. The County's annual budget is $80 million. Human services are the largest part of the county's operations and include a nursing home as well as offices serving Senior Citizens, Veterans, Children & Youth, Adults, and those requiring help with Mental Health/Developmental Programs/Early Intervention/Substance Abuse. Jon has been an advocate for providing high quality services in a cost effective manner. He believes these services are vital to our community's quality of life.
As Commissioner, Jon serves on:
- Board of Commissioners, Employees Benefit Trust, Finance Committee, Prison Board, and Retirement Board.
- SEDA-COG Board of Directors. SEDA-COG is a regional planning and economic development organization which serves 11 counties including Centre, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, and Union. Jon is currently President of the Board.
- The Centre County Emergency Communications Advisory Committee which is overseeing the upgrade of the Centre County's 9-1-1 system.
- The Centre County MPO Coordinating Committee, which allocates transportation funds to road, bridge, and transit projects.
- The Centre County MH/MR Advisory Board
- The Seven Mountains EMS Council, which provides training and funding to emergency medical services in four counties: Centre, Clinton, Juniata, and Mifflin
In 2004, 2006 and 2010, Jon challenged entrenched incumbents with sizeable warchests for their seats in the State House and State Senate.
Jon served in the Centre County Commissioners Office as Director of Administrative Services/Chief Clerk for over four years.
He worked in Centre County's Planning Office for almost 20 years and in the Snyder County Planning Office for 3 years (full and part time). He served as a part-time instructor, teaching courses on Community Planning and Subdivision Administration to citizen and professional planners.
Jon also held various part time jobs to pay tuition and make ends meet: title searcher, highway worker, library aide, kitchen aide, laborer, census taker.
Jon graduated from Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA) with a BA in Political Science and Economics. He completed an MS in Geography at Penn State while working full time.
Jon is married to Kathleen Eich (24 years). They live in State College.