Commissioner Bio

Dr. Kyle C. Kopko is the executive director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. He joined the Center in July 2020. Prior to joining the Center, Dr. Kopko served as Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Research, and Planning, and Associate Professor of Political Science at Elizabethtown College. Dr. Kopko holds a law degree from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, a Ph.D. and M.A. in political science from The Ohio State University, and a B.A. in political science from Elizabethtown College. Dr. Kopko has authored or co-authored more than 50 publications, including two university press books. His research has received national and international media attention in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Fox News Channel.

Senator Schwank serves the 11th Senatorial District, which includes parts of Berks County. Sen. Schwank serves as the Democratic chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. In 2021, she was named Administrator of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus, and she also serves on the Aging and Youth, Appropriations, Game and Fisheries, and Health and Human Services committees. In addition to her committee assignments, Sen. Schwank also serves on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's (PASSHE) Board of Governors and is a co-chair of the Pennsylvania Women's Health Caucus and the Jewish Legislative Caucus. Prior to serving in the Senate, Sen. Schwank was a Berks County Commissioner and worked as a Berks County horticultural agent for Penn State Cooperative Extension. Sen. Schwank also served as President of 10,000 Friends, and as the Dean of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Delaware Valley College. She received her B.S. and M.Ed. in agricultural education from Penn State University and completed the Executive Leadership Program through the Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Institute for the Management of Life-Long Education at Harvard University.

Senator Judy Ward was elected to represent the 30th district in the Pennsylvania Senate on November 6, 2018, after serving two terms representing the interests of local communities in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives' 80th District. Sen. Ward is a Registered Nurse, as well as a former small business owner, development professional, and wellness coordinator for Ward Transport and Logistics. In the Senate, Sen. Ward has authored new laws providing additional resources to support Pennsylvania farmers; allow temporary nurse aides hired during the COVID-19 emergency declaration to receive certification to continue working in the field; help community-based health centers better meet the needs of patients in underserved areas; provide a tax exemption for any improvements and new construction on blighted properties in deteriorated areas; strengthen penalties for assaults against healthcare practitioners and technicians; protect victims of domestic violence; and expand Pennsylvanians' access to psychology services. She also led the fight in the General Assembly to require insurance companies to cover medications and treatments prescribed to patients facing Stage IV metastatic cancer and expand fundraising options for local charities dedicated to helping individuals who have cancer or developmental disabilities. Sen. Ward currently serves as Chair of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, which is responsible for reviewing legislation that affects the programs and services dedicated to senior citizens and younger Pennsylvanians. Under her leadership, the committee played a critical role in addressing flaws in the Wolf Administration's management of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee also considered legislation last year to improve newborn health screenings, which was signed into law. She previously served as Chair of the Intergovernmental Operations Committee and the Urban Affairs and Housing Committee. She also serves as a member of the following committees: Health and Human Services as Vice Chair, Intergovernmental Operations, Law and Justice, State Government, and the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. She is also a member of the Advisory Council for the Hollidaysburg Veteran's Home, the Long-Term Care Council, and the Blair Senior Services Advisory Council, and she sits on the Pennsylvania Children's Trust Fund Board. In addition to her committee appointments, she also serves as Chair of the Maternal and Infant Health Caucus, the Senate Community Pharmacy Caucus, and the PA Rare Disease Caucus, and as a member of the Aviation Caucus, the Brain Injury Caucus, the Broadband Caucus, the Community College Caucus, the Cystic Fibrosis Caucus, the Early Childhood Education Caucus, the Economy, Business, and Jobs Caucus, the Fair Caucus, the Homecare Caucus, the Irish Caucus, the Life Science Caucus, the Lyme Disease and Tick Caucus, the Manufacturing Caucus, the Mental Health Caucus, the Oil and Gas Caucus, the Pro-Life Caucus, the Second Amendment Caucus, the Ski Caucus, the Sportsmen's Caucus, the YMCA Caucus, and the 9/11 Trail Caucus. She also sits on the Joint Senate and House Prayer Caucus, the Senate and House Fair Caucus, and the Rural Population Revitalization Commission. Her primary goals are to improve Pennsylvania's business climate, create jobs, and advance economic and agricultural opportunities for the 30th District. A lifelong resident of Blair County, Sen. Ward graduated from Hollidaysburg High School and the Altoona Hospital School of Nursing. She is a longtime member of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce, having graduated from the Chamber Leadership Blair County Program, and is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Rural Urban Leadership Program (R.U.L.E.) through Penn State University, which encourages and fosters the development of adult community leaders from all segments of the state, especially agricultural communities. Having served on many community and professional boards, she remains active with Food for Families Soup Kitchen. Sen. Ward resides in Hollidaysburg with her husband, Bill. They have two grown sons, Bill Jr. (wife Ehrin) and Adam.

Representative Paul Takac was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2022 to represent the 82nd Legislative District in Centre County. His district is the largest in land size held by a Democrat in the Pennsylvania House and encompasses a unique mix of rural communities such as Snow Shoe, Howard, and Milesburg, as well as areas in and around State College, including the Penn State University Park campus. In the legislature, Rep. Takac serves on the House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee and has focused much of his attention on legislation and budget priorities addressing issues of critical importance to rural communities, such as healthcare access, food insecurity, economic development, broadband, and much more. As an example, Rep. Takac was the prime sponsor of the recently enacted Agriculture Innovation Bill, which created a first-of-its-kind in the nation program to help support PA's number one industry. This program will provide $10 million in funding to assist PA farmers, cooperatives, and food processors to adopt the latest technology and best practices to improve their bottom lines as well as the environment. He also played a key role in championing the $50 million Rural Jobs & Investment Tax Credit Program in the 2024-25 budget to support rural economic growth and job creation. His commitment to the 82nd District's rural areas has resulted in millions of dollars in direct grants for regions like Mountaintop and Bald Eagle Valley, as well as the establishment of regular satellite office hours and constituent services to better serve these communities. As a member of the PA House Education Committee, Rep. Takac has been a strong advocate for rural school districts, highlighting how these districts face similar challenges to urban schools under Pennsylvania's inadequate and unconstitutional education funding formula. He has brought attention to these issues by hosting visits to the House Democratic Policy Committee at Bald Eagle Area High School and facilitating a visit from the House Education Committee Majority Chairman. They met and heard from school board members and administrators to talk about the unique struggles rural districts face, ensuring that the voices of students, educators, and taxpayers are heard in the fight for equitable education funding. Rep. Takac has been a prominent, bipartisan voice for rural issues in the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus, and with his appointment to the PA Rural Population Revitalization Commission, he looks forward to continuing to advocate for rural Pennsylvanians and communities across our great Commonwealth.

Representative Michael Stender is a Republican and a dedicated public servant who has spent his career protecting families and serving his community. As a career and volunteer firefighter and former emergency medical technician with the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire, he knows firsthand the importance of keeping communities and families safe. As state representative, he aims to improve public safety for the residents of Northumberland and Montour counties. Rep. Stender is a proud husband and father of three daughters. As a lifelong resident of Northumberland County, he understands the conservative values that are vital to residents of the Susquehanna Valley. He is committed to ensuring fiscal restraint in state government and supporting small businesses. Rep. Stender's community involvement and leadership experience extend beyond his work as a firefighter. He is a past member of the Shikellamy School Board, Degenstein Community Library, Sunbury Civil Service Commission, and an Eagle Scout who served as a committee member for the Boy Scouts of America Susquehanna Council Troop 331. He is a proud graduate of Shikellamy High School, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, and Harrisburg Area Community College's Career Fire Academy. Rep. Stender is a dedicated public servant who is committed to working tirelessly for his community and representing the values of the hardworking men and women which he serves in the 108th House District. For the 2023-24 Legislative Session, Rep. Stender is serving on the House Consumer Protection: Technology and Utilities; Commerce; and Veterans Affairs/Emergency Preparedness Committees.

Ms. Lisa Davis serves as the Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health and is an Outreach Associate Professor of Health Policy and Administration at Penn State University Park. As the Director, she ensures that the state office exceeds its mission of being a source of networking, coordination, and technical assistance to advance rural health care delivery. On national, state, and university levels, Ms. Davis serves on a wide range of boards of directors, advisory committees, and task forces focused on rural health policy, rural health research, economic development, outreach and education, health disparities, and vulnerable populations. She earned a graduate degree in health administration with a focus on public health from Penn State. Ms. Davis is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, the Health Equity Champion Award from the Office of Health Equity in the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Calico Quality Leadership Award from the Federal Office of Rual Health Policy, and the Distinguished Award for Rural Life from the Rural Sociological Society. The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health received the Award of Merit and the Award of Excellence from the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.

Dr. Karen Riley became the 18th president of Slippery Rock University on July 1, 2023. As president she leads a faculty and staff of 1,000 with a total student enrollment of nearly 9,000 students across five colleges to advance the vision for providing an accessible, inclusive and engaging community, centered on student learning, positively shaping the future of the region, through the lives of our graduates. Under her leadership, Slippery Rock has launched a new strategic plan - Slippery Rock University, the First Choice, which builds on the University's legacy of excellence, while setting high metric driven expectations and charting a course for success into the future. The four foundational pillars of the plan articulate SRU's commitment to: a robust, supportive, and inclusive culture; academic discovery and growth; community impact and collaboration; and financial sustainability and resource stewardship. Previously she served as Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Before joining Regis in 2021, Dr. Riley was dean of the Morgridge College of Education (MCE) at the University of Denver for seven years. She also served as the university's strategic director for health initiatives, an effort to nurture signature research programs. During her tenure as dean, MCE thrived, increasing enrollment while increasing selectivity, increasing research productivity and sponsored research, and securing over $27 million in philanthropic giving. These metrics helped to advance the reputation of MCE to national prominence. Dr. Riley holds an MA in Early Childhood Special Education and a PhD in Educational Psychology from the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver and a BS in Psychology from Colorado State University. Dr. Riley was the recipient of the FRAXA Post-Doctoral Fellowship at The Children's Hospital in Denver. Dr. Riley has received numerous teaching and service awards including National Fragile X Foundation Clinical Award for Translational Research (2018) the National Fragile X Foundation Outstanding Service Award (2010), and the DU Academic Spotlight Honoree (2012). Dr. Riley's prior research focused on educational and behavioral interventions and outcome measures related to targeted treatments. She has authored or co-authored more than 50 book chapters, clinical guidelines, and journal articles and has over 150 national and international conference presentations.

Mr. Mark Critz, Western Regional Director and Executive Director of the Rural Development Council is a former U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, having served from a special election in May 2010 until January 2013. Mr. Critz, a Westmoreland County native, spent several years on Congressman John Murtha's staff serving as District Director from 1995-2010. Following his tenure in Congress, Mr. Critz went on to work for the campaign of Governor Tom Wolf, his Agriculture transition team, and in 2015 was appointed as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Rural Development Council/Governor's Advisory Council on Rural Affairs. In 2019, Mr. Critz accepted the additional role of Western Regional Director for the PA Dept. of Agriculture. Mr. Critz is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, earning a B.S. in Management Information Systems, and currently resides with his family in Johnstown, PA.

Mr. Jordan Grady is the President of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and the Program Administrator for Leadership Butler County. During his first five plus years, membership has grown by nearly 50 percent, programming has increased substantially, and the chamber has transformed itself into a community organization. He serves on the following boards: Butler County Growth Collaborative Advisory Board, Butler County Youth Leadership, Slippery Rock Business Association, Butler County Young Professionals, Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA, Butler County Humane Society, The Butler AM Rotary, and the Slippery Rock University College of Business advisory board. He just recently began his third year as a member of the government affairs committee for the Pennsylvania State Chamber of Business and Industry and is an active member of the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association. He has recently been appointed to serve on the Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission by Governor Josh Shapiro. A two-time graduate of Slippery Rock University, he received his Master's in Business Administration in 2016. He is a graduate of Leadership Butler County.

Mr. Drew Popish is a dedicated public servant with a passion for serving rural communities in Pennsylvania. Recently appointed to the Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission by Governor Josh Shapiro, Mr. Popish has a strong commitment to seeing rural areas flourish. Currently serving as the Northeast Regional Director for the Office of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Mr. Popish oversees the 18 counties of the Northeast region, the majority of which are rural. His focus on rural development and community empowerment drives his work on the Commission. Prior to his current role, Mr. Popish served as the Chief of Staff to State Representative Bridget Malloy Kosierowski of the PA 114 House District. His experience also includes serving as the Organizing Director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, as well as working as a Field Director for Secretary Hillary Clinton. With his legislative background and experience managing various local, statewide, and national campaigns, Mr. Popish brings a unique perspective and knowledge to his current position in the Governor's office. Born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Mr. Popish is a 2007 graduate of West Scranton High School. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Penn State University, Mr. Popish is dedicated to furthering his education while balancing his professional responsibilities.

Commissioner Betsy McClure is a dedicated public servant currently serving as a County Commissioner for Greene County, Pennsylvania. Her commitment to the community is evident in her proactive approach to county governance, focusing on improving economic development, public safety, and overall quality of life for residents. Commissioner McClure has a strong background in leadership and public administration, leveraging her experience to drive initiatives that support local businesses, infrastructure development, and community well-being. Her efforts are centered on fostering a collaborative environment where the needs of Greene County citizens are prioritized and addressed effectively.

Commissioner Albert "Chip" Abramovic is serving his third term as a Venango County Commissioner. He is the past President and current Board Chair of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. In addition, he serves as Board Chair of the Northwest Commission and Northwest Workforce Development. Commissioner Abramovic is also the Vice Chair of Economic Development and the Rural Action Caucus for the National Association of Counties. He serves as the Board Chair of the University of Pittsburgh's Institute of Politics Economic Development Committee and the Innovation Institute for Tomorrow/PA Rural Robotics. Additionally, he is a Special Advisor to Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute. Commissioner Abramovic is a graduate of Penn State's Rural-Urban Leadership Program, "RULE." Before his tenure as a county commissioner, he was the President of PennNorth Investments, a boutique investment firm, and continues to be involved with Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, which is owned and operated by his family.

Ms. Gina Suydam is the President/CEO of the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce, which serves over 350 rural businesses in many industry sectors, from manufacturing and natural gas to healthcare and Main Street retail. A graduate of King's College with a bachelor's in accounting, Ms. Suydam has a passion for economic development and community collaboration. She serves as the 2024 President of the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals. Ms. Suydam serves as a Northeast Sight Services and Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania board member. She participates in the Northern Tier Partnership for Regional Economic Performance. Ms. Suydam holds an IOM designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and serves on the professional development program's Board of Regents. The Chamber's youth and adult leadership programs demonstrate her passion for building rural community leaders. With over 150 graduates in eight years of programming, Ms. Suydam is working to strengthen community pride and volunteerism. She is a committed Rotarian and a lifelong resident of Wyoming County, where she resides with her husband, Tony, and three children, Anna, Aiden, and Alex.

Mr. Nathan Lesh currently serves as the State Vice President of the Pennsylvania Future Farmers of America (FFA) Association and is an honors student at Susquehanna University. Active in his home county of Perry, he is deeply involved in various community service organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Historical Society of Perry County, a Commissioner of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, and a Committee Member of the Perry County Economic Development Authority. Additionally, he is an Ambassador for the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, an active volunteer for Millerstown Community Success Incorporated, a member of the Perry Valley Grange #1804, and a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. Mr. Lesh advises local officials on rural issues and has managed several county-wide governmental campaigns, utilizing his Parliamentary Accreditation from the National Society of Agricultural Parliamentarians to conduct meetings effectively. In recognition of his dedication to community service, he was awarded the 2024 Community Service Award by the Perry County Chamber of Commerce, where he is also an active member.

Ms. Janet Pennington has been a member of the Southeastern Greene School District Board for 15 years and served as President, Vice President, Delegate Assembly member, and Pennsylvania School Boards Association Liaison. Ms. Pennington is on the PSBA Platform Committee, which considers proposals to be presented to the Delegate Assembly. While Board President, she met with state officials to try to make broadband more accessible to students in Greene County. Mrs. Pennington is SEGSD's representative on the Greene County Career and Technology Center Joint Operating Committee, where she is Treasurer. In the spring of 2024, Mrs. Pennington became the 18th inductee into PSBA's prestigious Allwein Society, which recognizes outstanding leadership and advocacy efforts on behalf of public schools and students. In addition, Ms. Pennington was selected by the Diligent Corporation as a leader in modern governance and was part of the inaugural Modern Governance 100 Community Boards, a program dedicated to the recognition of community governance leaders who are committed to driving positive organizational change. Ms. Pennington holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education degree from the California University of Pennsylvania. She is passionately dedicated to the students of her district and is an advocate for educational equity across Pennsylvania. As a lifelong resident of Greene County, she hopes to share her vast experience living in a rural community with the Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission.