There’s a new point person to lead economic development efforts in York County.
State Rep. Kevin Schreiber of York was named Thursday afternoon as the new president and chief executive officer of the York County Economic Alliance, which leads economic growth in the White Rose County. He will step into his new role on Dec. 1.
He succeeds Loren Kroh, who has served on an interim basis since February, after long-time YCEA leader Darrell Auterson resigned in January.
It was a difficult decision to leave the state House, Schreiber said, but “I have always tried to view my life through the lens of, where you could be the most impactful, and that is exactly how I see this opportunity,” he said at a press conference at the York County Administrative Center where his appointment was announced.
He sees the YCEA as “a community asset” that has a goal of “establishing the conditions by which businesses in our county can thrive … and we do have stellar assets in the county to build from.”
The YCEA has conducted a nationwide search for a permanent president and CEO over the last several months, receiving 50 resumes from interested candidates and bringing in seven for interviews, YCEA officials said Thursday. A committee led by by YCEA board member John Klinedinst and made up of York community leaders and YCEA board members led the search for a new director.
Schreiber will officially begin as alliance president and CEO in December so he can finish his term in office while transitioning into the YCEA, its officials said. Kroh will continue to serve as interim president and CEO until then.
Schreiber clearly presented the right mix of knowledge, preparation and people skills to be the right person for the job, YCEA board president Douglas Berman said.
Among the top current business storylines in the York area are the revitalization of downtown York, both in terms of new businesses and new residential growth, and the growth of outlying areas like Shrewsbury and other towns along the Interstate 83 corridor.
“It’s an exciting place to be right now,” outgoing interim leader Kroh said in a recent interview.
The YCEA aims to lead economic growth, connect local businesses to resources and each other and also advocate for business and the community to boost York County.
Schreiber, a Democrat, has been state representative from the 95th District since winning a special election for the seat in May 2013.
A York City resident, he is a York College graduate and earned a master’s degree in public administration from Penn State University.
Schreiber before being elected to public office was community and economic development director for York City.
He said Thursday in accepting his new position that the YCEA “plays a critical role in enhancing the prosperity and economic vitality of our region, and as such, we have a community trust” to maintain.
“This takes partnership, this takes a well-oiled machine, this takes energy, this takes optimism, and this takes an incredible team, and we’ve got just that,” he said. “It is less a difficult task than it is a fun one. York will continue to excel.”
He stopped near the end of his prepared remarks, and looked up at the audience.
“This is incredibly exciting stuff, York,” he said, smiling. “There are many exciting things on the horizon.”
