SNYDER NAMED COMMISSIONER OF THE YEAR — Human Services Administrator also recognized at state association conference
For Release: Aug. 8, 2012 Contact: Elizabeth Menhart, Communications Director/Tourism (724-852-5210)
WAYNESBURG, PA — Greene County Commissioner Pam Snyder, chair of the Board of Commissioners, has been named the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania’s 2012 Outstanding County Commissioner of the Year. Snyder also received a President’s award from CCAP President and Lebanon County Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz in recognition of Snyder’s outstanding contributions, service and commitment to CCAP.
Pictured, from l. to r., are Commissioner Archie Trader; Commissioner Pam Snyder; CCAP Deputy Director Brinda Carroll Penyak, who received a special Commitment to Human Services award; Human Services Administrator Karen Bennett; and Commissioner Chuck Morris.
The awards were presented Tuesday night during CCAP’s annual conference, held Aug. 5-8 at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Dauphin County. Also during the conference, Snyder was elected first vice president of CCAP, having been elected second vice president last year.
"I am truly humbled and honored to receive such a prestigious award as Commissioner of the Year," Snyder said. "To even be nominated was an accomplishment, and I am grateful to CCAP and to the awards committee for selecting me. To also receive the President’s award was an unexpected recognition. This week, I have been overwhelmingly touched by the support of CCAP, my peers from other counties and my colleagues in Greene County. I am constantly inspired to work harder and do more on behalf of our residents, and this week’s achievements will only provide further sources of inspiration."
The Outstanding County Commissioner of the Year award is designed to recognize a commissioner who, through CCAP participation, has contributed to the advancement of county government. Snyder was honored for her leadership role in Greene County and at the state level on a wide variety of issues. A commissioner since 2004, Snyder has become widely recognized as an authority on the topic of Marcellus Shale drilling and the industry’s impact on communities. In addition to membership on several CCAP committees, Snyder is currently secretary/treasurer of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.
Greene County Human Services Administrator Karen Bennett received a 2012 Outstanding Affiliate of the Year award for her work in the ongoing negotiations and development of the new Human Services Development Block Grant.
Three other human services directors from across the state also received the award, which was established in response to the work done by the winners in conjunction with the office of Gov. Tom Corbett and the Department of Public Welfare to develop the details and parameters of the human services block grant. The efforts took months to complete and included appearing at regional block grant forums to assist with educating Pennsylvania’s counties, work performed in addition to the four directors’ regular responsibilities.
CCAP is a statewide, nonprofit, bipartisan association representing the commissioners, chief clerks, administrators, council members, county executives and solicitors of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. The association works to strengthen counties’ abilities to govern their own affairs and to improve the well-being and quality of life of constituents. For a full list of all CCAP award winners, visit www.pacounties.org.
For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
