Vision for amplifying outdoor recreation assets and economic growth
BEDFORD, PA — The Bedford County Development Association Board of Directors represents a broad cross-section of industry and geographic diversity.
This year’s chair, Dr. Sherry Cain, Cain Coaching and Consulting, noted “I hope to build on the great accomplishments that have occurred in the past. Our focus will continue to be on job retention and creation. We are currently under construction with our new multi-tenant building and looking at future business park development. We will also continue to support community development efforts including workforce development, marketing, outdoor recreation, and housing. Networking with other organizations is important. We have to work together to support each other and to share our visions.”
The 2023 Executive Committee includes: Dr. Sherry Cain, Chair; Jeffrey Crist, Vice Chair; Mike O’Dellick, Treasurer; Trudy Mitchell, Secretary; Jan Fisher, Assistant Secretary; and James Gonsman, Immediate Past Chair.
Joining the board are Darin Mauzy, Sean Bardell and Clifton Clark. “These new board members reflect important areas of expertise and bring fresh, new perspectives to the board,” said Cain.
Darin Mauzy was a member of the US Air Force for 25 years. During that time, he led teams into combat, logged hours in an F-16 as a flying crew chief on the aerial demonstration team “The Thunderbirds,” navigated the halls of the pentagon as a senior staff advisor, and was the command chief of the world-famous “Green Mountain Boys.” After his time in the Air Force, he was the principal of a private school in Las Vegas, the Executive Action Officer for a $9B company with 90 locations, and the COO of a 955-staff company with a $107M annual budget.
Darin and his wife moved back to the area with their four children, and Mauzy now serves as the vice president of operations for Mission Critical Solutions. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to come home,” Mauzy said. “I get to help build a really cool place.”
Mauzy said that a key part of driving growth while preserving livability is welcoming new people to the community. “We need to make the county welcoming to career professionals with advancements in housing and social systems. So much is already here, and we can share what we already have.”
He added that the best thing about doing business in Bedford County is the depth of manufacturing knowledge. “Bedford County has such a good supply line, project management, quality processes and logistics. Manufacturing is coming back to Bedford County, and iron sharpens iron.”
“Serving on the BCDA board, I have the chance to work with some of the finest career professionals I’ve ever worked with across the country,” he said. “They are so focused on the promotion of our employees, welcoming new people, and making this an even more thriving community. Our best days are ahead.”
Sean Bardell has been a real estate broker with Howard Hanna Bardell Realty for the past 23 years. In addition to his new role with the BCDA board, he is the vice chair of the Bedford Joint Municipal Authority, and on the board of the Bedford Ambulance Association and Bedford Historic Architectural Review Board. “My priorities will be to aid and assist BCDA to create positive economic development and growth for Bedford County,” Bardell said.
He added that he especially wanted to focus efforts on quality job creation, housing, and expansion of outdoor recreational opportunities. “We have an abundance of state lands, waterways, and scenic vistas, and I feel we can better utilize those assets for outdoor recreation that will help bring people to the area, attract companies, and development,” he added.
He said that the best thing about doing business in Bedford County is the people. “We have a workforce that is second to none and we have a thriving community that is always supportive of our local businesses. Our workforce and the people in our communities make a difference.”
Clifton Clark has served as president of Clark Contractors Inc. since 1998. In addition to being active with BCDA, he’s served with Downtown Bedford, Inc., and United Way and was honored as the 2020 Citizen of the Year by the Bedford Rotary Clubs and the Bedford Elks Lodge 1707 in recognition of his ongoing efforts to help build a better community.
Clark said that for Bedford County to continue preserving its excellent quality of life while encouraging more economic development, the BCDA board needs to keep moving forward with new projects as it has done so well in the past.
He added that as part of the board, he will be prioritizing quality employment in Bedford County by attracting new employers and building recreational resources. “I would like to see an increase in our county population by attracting young talent to supply the growing need,” he said.
Full Board Photo name listing:
Front Row Sitting (l-r): Alan Frederick, Bedford County Commissioner; Secretary, Trudy Mitchell, Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission; Immediate Past Chair, James Gonsman, Hometown Bank of PA; Chair, Dr. Sherry Cain, Cain Coaching and Consulting; Assistant Secretary, Jan Fisher, UPMC Altoona/Bedford; Treasurer, Mike O’Dellick, Bedford County Technical Center; Barry Dallara, Bedford County Commissioner.
Middle Row Standing (l-r): Office Manager, Melanie Miller; BCDA; Vice President, Jennifer Marsh, BCDA; President & CEO, Bette Slayton, BCDA; Deb Baughman, Bedford County Commissioner; Marcia O’Rear, StelTek Graphics, Inc.; Gregory F. Krug, Lampire Biological Laboratories; Vice Chair, Jeffrey Crist, Gatter & Diehl, Inc.
Back Row Standing (l-r): Lester Meck, Saxton Borough Council; Robbie Weaver, Weaver’s Sanitation Service, Inc; Darin Mauzy, Mission Critical Solutions, LLC; Floyd “Pete” Imler III, JLG Industries, Inc; Sean Bardell, Howard Hanna Bardell Realty, Inc., Dwayne Zimmerman, Crowsnest IT Support.
Missing from the picture are Brian Pachtman, Reed, Wertz & Roadman; and Clifton Clark, Clark Contractors, Inc.