BELLEFONTE — As Centre County Commissioner Michael Pipe counts down his final days at the Willowbank Building, he is ready for the new challenges that lie ahead in Harrisburg.
He’s also excited to work with Governor-elect Josh Shapiro.
“I think Governor-elect Shapiro represents what we need in government and politics right now in the most important way,” Pipe said. “He is able to reach out to Republicans in a meaningful way and say, ‘I can’t do this without you.’”
Ultimately, Pipe wanted to expand his horizons and help not only Centre County, but the entire commonwealth.
“I wanted to do something that’s good for Pennsylvania,” Pipe said. “I really wanted to be a part of that.”
Pipe was appointed as the deputy chief of staff for public safety. He will step into that role on Jan. 17, and his resignation from the Board of Commissioners is effective Saturday.
“With public safety, I just really felt like the work that’s been done on criminal justice reform here, working with prisons, working with law enforcement, working with our emergency management folks and our 911 folks to do the upgrades and improvements we’ve done, I really felt that I could be a part of making sure that those agencies that I’ll be working with and coordinating with out of the governor’s office will have the support and the empowerment that they will need to be able to do good,” Pipe said.
Ultimately, it was a perfect fit.
“I just felt that it was a really exciting opportunity,” Pipe said.
Pipe said he has “been a fan” of Shapiro since his days as a county commissioner.
“Interestingly enough, I grew up in Montgomery County, Bucks County and the same election that I won in November of 2011 to become a commissioner, so did Josh Shapiro in Montgomery County. I’ve watched him as he’s worked,” Pipe said.
Pipe said that he is excited for the challenges that lie ahead in Harrisburg.
“It’s a new pond to be in,” Pipe said.
As he prepares for Jan. 17, he is experiencing a wide range of emotions, he said.
“It’s a mix of excitement, wonder, a little bit of mystery. … What’s this going to be? There’s just a lot of emotions that go into it,” Pipe said.
It will be a change, for sure.
“I’ve really enjoyed being the public face and being out on the ballots, campaigning and all that. But, I have also, through this job, enjoyed and appreciated the work that’s done on the operations and administrative side. To just connect people and make sure that things are running smoothly,” Pipe said.
Pipe said that he forged a relationship with Shapiro through the years.
“Whenever he was in town with campaign events, I wanted to make sure that I was there to support him,” Pipe said.
According to Pipe, in addition to working with Shapiro, he will also work closely with Shapiro’s chief of staff, Dana Fritz.
“I am looking forward to that partnership,” Pipe said.
