Longtime Centre County Prosecutor Smith Retires; McGoron Named Deputy District Attorney

The retirement of a longtime public servant has opened the door for a new deputy district attorney in Centre County.

Mark Smith, the county’s first assistant district attorney for more than three decades, retired this month following 38 years of “loyal and dedicated service to Centre County,” District Attorney Bernie Cantorna wrote in a statement. Smith began his career as a law clerk and first joined the Centre County District Attorney’s Office in 1985.

“[Smith] has been a cornerstone of the District Attorney’s Office for over three decades and a wealth of institutional knowledge,” Cantorna wrote. “He will be missed and has served the County with honor and integrity.”

Smith served as the county’s first assistant district attorney from 1986 to 2021 under District Attorneys Robert A. Mix, Ray Gricar, Michael Madeira, Stacy Parks Miller and Cantorna. He was appointed to serve as district attorney from May 13, 2005, to Dec. 31, 2005, in the wake of Gricar’s disappearance.

Following Smith’s retirement, Cantorna’s office named Megan McGoron the county’s next deputy district attorney. McGoron previously served as Centre County’s assistant district attorney after graduating from Penn State and Ohio Northern University’s Claude W. Pettit College of Law.

In her new role, McGoron will balance “a full caseload” as one of the county office’s primary trial lawyers. She will also help supervise the district attorney’s office’s legal staff’s daily operations. McGoron will continue serving as the county’s integrity officer, as well.