Thomas Topolski, President (Term expires January 2026). Tom joined the Board of Trustees in 2023 and is in his first term. Now retired, after his active duty Air Force service, Thomas spent his professional career in the aerospace industry, working within both industry and government, beginning in manufacturing operations and segueing into program management. Thomas graduated from Cedar Cliff High School and earned an BSc from the United States Air Force Academy, a MA from Central Michigan University, and a diploma from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. After retiring from Eglin AFB in Florida’s Panhandle he returned to Central Pennsylvania and now lives in Silver Spring Township with his wife Christy. He has two adult children and one grandchild.

 

Karen Cochran, Vice President (Term ending January 2028) Karen joins the board to fill an unexpired term. A career educator, Karen served as a high school librarian in the South Middleton School District for 37 years. She holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Library Science from Shippensburg State Teachers College, graduating in 1974 and 1979, respectively. In addition to her role on the library board, Karen is an active member of the Upper Allen Woman’s Club and Mechanicsburg Area Meals on Wheels. A resident of Upper Allen Township for 47 years, Karen and her husband, Jim, have two adult children and seven grandchildren.
 

Sandra McIntyre, Secretary (Term expires January 2027). Sandra joined the Board of Trustees in January 2024 and is in her first term of office. Sandra spent her career at PA Higher Education Assistance Agency in a leadership capacity overseeing a variety of operational functions. Sandra graduated from Gettysburg College with a BA in Business Administration. Sandra grew up in the Cumberland Valley School District and has resided in Silver Spring Township for the past 30 years. Her two grown children live nearby.

 

Patricia Leib, Treasurer (Term Expires January 2026).Trish joined the Board of Trustees in January 2022. Prior to her retirement she completed a 44 year career in the financial services industry. She held various positions along the way and spent the last 20 years in institutional asset management. Trish’s credentials include a B.S. Degree from the Pennsylvania State University. Trish serves as secretary for the Mt. Zion Cemetery at Churchtown. She resides in Silver Spring Township.

 

John G Anthony II (Term expires 2029) John joined the board in January of 2026.  He is the current (2026-2030) Mayor of Mechanicsburg Borough, a past Mechanicsburg School Board Director, Past Borough Council Vice President, Past President of the Mechanicsburg Chamber, Past President of the Downtown Partnership, Past President of his statewide trade association (PAMB), Past President of his Rotary Club, Past District Governor of Rotary District 7390, and has served on a variety of community and business boards for organizations including Leadership Cumberland, Mechanicsburg Area Community Foundation, Scouting America (he is an Eagle Scout) and his local church.  He was honored to be the 2023 Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership Person of the Year, is a member of the Mechanicsburg Lions Club and teaches Junior Achievement in Mechanicsburg Schools. John runs an operation for Fairway Home Mortgage here in Mechanicsburg and in State College PA. John lives in the borough of Mechanicsburg, is a proud father of two, grandfather, and husband for over 38 years to his college (Shippensburg University) sweetheart Karen.  

 

G. Edward Blum (Term Expires January 2026). Ed joined the Board of Trustees in January 2023 and is in his first term of office. Ed served in the United States Navy for 23 years as a Navy pilot and retired from the U.S. Army War College as a faculty member in 1992. For the last 30 years he has served in several management and business consulting positions in the real estate industry. Ed graduated from Central Connecticut State University (BA), Salve Regina University (MS – Management), and the U.S. Army War College. Ed lived in Hampden Township for 30 years and now resides in Silver Spring Township. He is married to Karen and has 2 adult sons and 3 grandchildren. 

 

David Carll (Term Expires January 2028) Dave joined the Board of Trustees in January 2025. After a 22 year career in the U.S. Navy, serving around the world in a variety of roles in the Civil Engineer Corps and Seabees, he retired to Central Pennsylvania to work in facilities-related projects for the State System of Higher Education (PaSSHE). After eleven years with PaSSHE, Dave took the position of Senior Director for Operations at the Milton Hershey School, directing their operations and maintenance activities and the Capital Program. He ended his professional career as a Senior Project Manager with Alexander Building Construction Company in Harrisburg. Dave holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University and a M.S. in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech and is a registered Professional Engineer in both Pennsylvania and Virginia. He is very lucky to be married to Meg for 55 years with two happily married daughters and four grandchildren.

 

Mary Messick (Term Expires March 2029) Mary joined the Board of Trustees in March 2026, bringing a strong commitment to education, community engagement, and lifelong learning. She has spent the majority of her career as a logistician with the Department of the Navy, specializing in security cooperation and supporting the needs of international partners. She is a graduate of Bloomsburg University, where she earned a degree in Business Education, and she also holds master’s degrees in Business Administration from Shippensburg University and Supply Chain Management from Syracuse University. Mary is the proud mom of four daughters and lives in Shiremanstown Borough with her family. Mary and her husband are currently fixing up their 100-year-old home. She enjoys being active in her community, especially through the ShireMoms Book Club, and loves reading and making memories with her family.

 

John Petrie (Term Expires January 2029) John and his wife Carol have called Mechanicsburg home since 1990. John currently owns and operates his family business, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry, a 50+ year old, kitchen and bathroom design and remodeling business in Mechanicsburg. Over the years John has served on the Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce, the Mechanicsburg Area Community Foundation, and the Yellow Breeches Rotary, (formally the Mechanicsburg Rotary). John and his wife have two adult daughters, a grandson, and granddaughter.

 

Corrin Ruggiero (Term expires January 2029) A proud graduate of Mechanicsburg Area School District, Corrin went on to earn a B.S. in Marketing and Business Administration from Bloomsburg University and later completed her MBA at Kutztown University. She currently serves as a Senior Regional Philanthropy Officer with the American Red Cross, where she leads strategic fundraising efforts across Pennsylvania. Corrin is deeply committed to community service and youth development, serving as a Girl Scout leader and actively supporting local initiatives. She lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband Mathew, their daughter, and two beloved dogs. Corrin brings a passion for literacy, education, and community engagement to her role on the library board.

 

Brenda Schoffstall (Term expires January 2029) Brenda started her professional career at First Bank and Trust in 1978. When First Bank was acquired by PNC, she continued her career as a Vice-President and Bank Center Manager until December 1998. She then became the General Manager and CFO for Pro-Jak, Inc (Grandpa’s Growler). Grandpa’s Growler was sold in May of 2016, and sheBrenda then took a position as an Instructional Assistant for fourth grade Special Education with Mechanicsburg School District. She retired in 2020 and continues to reside in Mechanicsburg Borough, where she has lived for 50 years. She is widowed and has 2 children and 4 grandchildren, all who reside in Mechanicsburg. 

 

Dwight Utz (Term Expires January 2028) Dwight joined the Board of Trustees in January 2025 and is in his first term. Dwight is a retired Financial Services Executive having spent 48 years in both the regional/community banking environment most recently as President/CEO/Director of three banks in both North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Areas of expertise include Executive Leadership, Strategic Vision, Corporate Governance, and Mergers/Acquisition. Dwight currently serves as a Co-Managing Director of a Bank Advisory/Acquisition Group formed to assist small Community Banks build for the future. Dwight currently serves as Board Chair of Central Penn College in Enola, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Dwight also attended the University of Delaware/Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Dwight resides in Upper Allen Township with his wife Debbye. They have two sons and four grandsons.

 

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Baldwin Seidel, Executive Director Lizzy was hired as the Executive Director of the Joseph T. Simpson Library by the Board of Trustees in 2025. Prior to her current role, she served as the District Consultant for York County Libraries, the Director of the Guthrie Memorial Library in Hanover, and Library Manager for the Northern Dauphin and Johnson Memorial branches of the Dauphin County Library System. Lizzy received her Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University and her Bachelor of Publishing and Editing from Susquehanna University. She is a proud member of the Pennsylvania Library Association and American Library Association. Lizzy lives in Hanover with her husband, Aaron and their cat, Quail.