BELLEFONTE — Centre County officially has its new commissioner.
Earlier this week, Amber Concepcion was sworn in by retiring President Judge Pamela Ruest. Concepcion replaces chair Michael Pipe on the Centre County Board of Commissioners. Pipe recently took a position with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Concepcion becomes the first female commissioner in Centre County in 19 years.
“I’m excited to get started,” Concepcion said, moments after being sworn in. “I’ve been spending the last couple of weeks since my appointment just trying to learn as much as I possibly can about county operations and what the work of (a) commissioner is and all the issues that they’re focused on.”
Concepcion was president of the State College school board for the past nine years. She had been on the board for 11, but recently resigned from that position.
“I’m excited to jump in and contribute the expertise that I bring in local government from the school district level to the county level,” Concepcion said.
“I think the hardest transition for me is leaving my school board position. Because after three terms as a school board member, I was so strongly attached to all the people who I work with in the school district,” Concepcion said.
Ultimately, she said, she expects the transition to be “seamless.”
“Human services is a significant part of the county work. Meeting the needs of citizens — especially those who rely on county services — will be a strong priority,” Concepcion said.
Replacing Pipe on the BOC will not be easy. Concepcion realizes that, but she believes she is up to the task.
“Having worked on a board of nine for almost 12 years, the most important thing is building really high-functioning teams, working together. … I hope to continue that good work here in the county. I’m looking forward to (working) with both Commissioner Higgins and Commissioner Dershem to do the best we can for the county,” Concepcion said.
Both Higgins and Dershem were present at the ceremony. Higgins, the new chair of the BOC, said he’s thrilled to be working with Concepcion. She was their first choice, he said.
“We approached Amber and said, ‘We really think you would make a great commissioner.’ She agreed to go through the process,” Higgins said.
After she agreed, Pipe and Higgins approached the executive board of the Democratic Committee in Centre County. Once they approved, it was on to the Centre County judges, who also signed off on Concepcion’s appointment.
“Everyone agreed that she’d be fabulous. She already brings a lot of experience. She’s been on the school board for 11 years, president for nine. My goodness, to (be) president of the State College school board nine years in row? That takes a lot of talent and hard work,” Higgins said.
Higgins cited the SCASD budget as well as the “multiple construction projects” Concepcion has been involved as president of the board.
While Concepcion will be the new kid on the block, Higgins believes the experience of himself and Dershem will help to lead the BOC.
“Steve’s been a commissioner pretty much since we had our last female commissioner, 19 years ago. I’ve been at it for seven. I’ve been mentoring under Mike and Steve now for seven years. It’s a team effort and we’ve got a great team,” Higgins said.
Dershem said he’s excited to see what Concepcion brings to the board.
“I think it’s clear that Amber has the enthusiasm and I think she has the background to be a successful commissioner,” Dershem said. “I’m looking forward to working with her.”
While there will be some “catching up” to do, Dershem believes Concepcion will make a great fit on the BOC.
“She’s coming from the school board perspective to the county perspective, but I think she has the background be very successful,” Dershem said. “I think it will all flow very smoothly.”
There was no commissioners’ meeting this week. The new board will meet at 10 a.m. on Jan. 24 at the Willowbank Building. The meeting is open to the public and will be televised live by C-NET.
