Commissioner Biographies

Brian Beader
	Commissioner Brian Beader is a second term Democrat and also serves as Secretary for the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. Previously to running for the office of Mercer County Commissioner, he served as the Business Representative for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 712 and was employed by several local electric contractors since 1989. Commissioner Beader still occasionally works as an electrician and is Vice President of Shenango Avenue Associates. Commissioner Beader earned his journeyman wireman certificate in 1994 and holds several awards and accreditations. Commissioner Beader's community involvement includes past president of the Mercer County Building and Construction Trades Council, past executive board member for the Mercer County Central Labor Council, past executive board member for the Northwest Pennsylvania Cooperation Council, past president of the Northwest County Commissioners' Association, chairman of the Northwest Regional Planning and Development Commission, chairman of the Western Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Executive Board, past vice-chairman of the Mercer County Industrial Development Authority and served on the Mercer County Strategic Planning Steering Committee. Commissioner Beader is also a member of several social and fraternal organizations. Commissioner Brian Beader resides in Hermitage with his wife and two children.

Brian Beader

Commissioner Brian Beader is a second term Democrat and also serves as Secretary for the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. Previously to running for the office of Mercer County Commissioner, he served as the Business Representative for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 712 and was employed by several local electric contractors since 1989. Commissioner Beader still occasionally works as an electrician and is Vice President of Shenango Avenue Associates. Commissioner Beader earned his journeyman wireman certificate in 1994 and holds several awards and accreditations. Commissioner Beader's community involvement includes past president of the Mercer County Building and Construction Trades Council, past executive board member for the Mercer County Central Labor Council, past executive board member for the Northwest Pennsylvania Cooperation Council, past president of the Northwest County Commissioners' Association, chairman of the Northwest Regional Planning and Development Commission, chairman of the Western Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Executive Board, past vice-chairman of the Mercer County Industrial Development Authority and served on the Mercer County Strategic Planning Steering Committee. Commissioner Beader is also a member of several social and fraternal organizations. Commissioner Brian Beader resides in Hermitage with his wife and two children.

John N. Lechner
	John N. Lechner is a second term Republican Commissioner and serves as Chairman of the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. He is a 1970 graduate of Gannon University in Erie, Pa where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He also holds a one year certification in Law Enforcement from Penn State University, is a graduate of the US Army Leadership School, the U.S. Air Force Advanced Leadership School, the U.S. Air Force Command and General Staff College and Penn State’s Police Executive Training Course. Commissioner Lechner spent 26 years in the Pennsylvania State Police where he worked in Patrol, Criminal Investigation, Staff Services and Community Relations. He held several command positions with PSP and retired in 1998 as the Commanding Lieutenant of the New Castle Station. Having also served 22 years with the U.S. Army and Air Force, both on active duty and in the reserves, Commissioner Lechner held four command positions spanning 15 of his 22 years and retired from the Youngstown Air Reserve Base in 1997 as a Lt. Colonel/Commander of the 76 the Aerial Port Squadron. After his dual retirements he assumed a position in early 1999 as an Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Public Safety at Westminster College, retiring at the end of 2007 to begin his duties as a Mercer County Commissioner. Commissioner John Lechner is active in many civic, fraternal and philanthropic organizations and has held numerous positions on their respective Boards of Directors. He has been married for 33 years. He and his wife, Marilyn, have two children and make their home in Hermitage.

John N. Lechner

John N. Lechner is a second term Republican Commissioner and serves as Chairman of the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. He is a 1970 graduate of Gannon University in Erie, Pa where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He also holds a one year certification in Law Enforcement from Penn State University, is a graduate of the US Army Leadership School, the U.S. Air Force Advanced Leadership School, the U.S. Air Force Command and General Staff College and Penn State’s Police Executive Training Course.

Commissioner Lechner spent 26 years in the Pennsylvania State Police where he worked in Patrol, Criminal Investigation, Staff Services and Community Relations. He held several command positions with PSP and retired in 1998 as the Commanding Lieutenant of the New Castle Station.

Having also served 22 years with the U.S. Army and Air Force, both on active duty and in the reserves, Commissioner Lechner held four command positions spanning 15 of his 22 years and retired from the Youngstown Air Reserve Base in 1997 as a Lt. Colonel/Commander of the 76 the Aerial Port Squadron. After his dual retirements he assumed a position in early 1999 as an Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Public Safety at Westminster College, retiring at the end of 2007 to begin his duties as a Mercer County Commissioner.

Commissioner John Lechner is active in many civic, fraternal and philanthropic organizations and has held numerous positions on their respective Boards of Directors. He has been married for 33 years. He and his wife, Marilyn, have two children and make their home in Hermitage.

Matthew B. McConnell
	Commissioner Matthew B. McConnell is a first term Republican Commissioner and serves as Vice Chairman of the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. Matt holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania graduating with honors. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina. Matt has over 22 years of business experience in management consulting, manufacturing, commercial lending, real estate, senior care, and behavioral health. Matt has worked with many leading companies including Deloitte & Touche Consulting, The Hackett Group, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, Sharon Steel, Northwood Realty, McConnell Construction, and he also started his own company Guardian Filtration Products. Matt was born and grew up here in Mercer County. He and his wife Angela have chosen Mercer County to raise their two young children. Matt has been involved with numerous civic, economic development, fraternal, and philanthropic organizations in the communities in which he has lived.

Matthew B. McConnell

Commissioner Matthew B. McConnell is a first term Republican Commissioner and serves as Vice Chairman of the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. Matt holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania graduating with honors. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina.

Matt has over 22 years of business experience in management consulting, manufacturing, commercial lending, real estate, senior care, and behavioral health. Matt has worked with many leading companies including Deloitte & Touche Consulting, The Hackett Group, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, Sharon Steel, Northwood Realty, McConnell Construction, and he also started his own company Guardian Filtration Products.

Matt was born and grew up here in Mercer County. He and his wife Angela have chosen Mercer County to raise their two young children. Matt has been involved with numerous civic, economic development, fraternal, and philanthropic organizations in the communities in which he has lived.

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