Steve Mower, a retired senior vice president for Thomson Reuters Corporation, announced he will seek one of three State College Borough Council seats up for election this year.
Mower, a Democrat, said he brings strategic planning, human resources and negotiation experience from a career that started in labor relations as a management representative working with United Autoworkers and United Steelworkers. He retired as Thomson Reuters senior vice president for human resources operations.
‘I made a career of listening, negotiating and advocating for people and organizations,’ Mower said in a release. ‘These skills have prepared me for the role of State College Borough Council member.
He said he wants to build consensus and develop creative solutions to meet the needs of the borough’s neighborhoods, ‘a thriving downtown and a healthy and equitable partnership with Penn State.’
Building a vision for future growth in the area will be an important role for council members, Mower said.
“Growth isn’t just about foresight and conscientious planning,’ he said. ‘It’s about people, and how each decision will impact all of us: residents, students, local businesses and our partners.”
He added that he wants to have open communication with and input from residents in considering borough resources such as police, zoning and public works.
Mower lived in State College as a child and returned to the area in 2005. He is on the board of the College Heights Neighborhood Association and is a member of the Neighborhood Coalition Budget Committee.
Mower is the second candidate to announce a borough council run. Current council member Evan Myers, also a Democrat, announced earlier this month that he will seek a second term.
