My name is Loren Fitzgerald and I am running for Commissioner in Potter County. In the coming months, I will be traveling around Potter County to share my vision and to solicit your feedback on how we transform Potter County to a place where our residents thrive personally and professionally. A little bit about who I am:

Potter County Native – I grew up near Cherry Springs and graduated from Austin Area School District. I joined the Air Force ten days after graduation and spent the next 20 years serving this great country. I retired from the Pentagon in 2006 and moved back to Potter County to raise my family.

Family Man – I met my beautiful wife Sharon while we were both serving in Berlin, Germany during the end of the cold war in the late 1980s. We have a daughter, Heather, and a son, John. Both graduated from Coudersport School District and subsequently followed in their parent’s footsteps by serving in the U.S Air Force.

Veteran – During my 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, I assumed leadership positions during every assignment. In addition to attending formal leadership academies, I honed my leadership skills leading large teams of joint service personnel and was responsible for managing multi-million dollar program budgets. During my last assignment at the Pentagon, I was responsible for the utilization, training, and funding of the 1000+ airmen in my career field.

Community Volunteer – I’ve always believed volunteer civil service is necessary for communities to function and excel. After returning to Potter County, I volunteered with several organizations including The Boys & Girls Club of Potter County, Trout Unlimited, and Project Healing Waters. I am a member of the Masonic Lodge, Consistory, and the American Legion. I was elected to the Coudersport Area School District Board of Directors where I served on the budget and negotiations committees. During my four years on the school board, I voted for STEM Labs and against wasteful spending and Common Core curriculum. In 2020, I was appointed to the Potter County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. As a leading voice on the board, I worked to put Authority-held properties back on the tax rolls. I’ve also served as the head coach for the State Champion Black Forest Falcons Youth Trap Team for the last six years. We currently have a record 54 youth shooters from Coudersport, Austin, Galeton, Northern Potter, and Emporium school districts, and 15 volunteer coaches. The Trap Team raises significant financial funding annually to ensure this program continues.

Local Business Owner – I am the co-owner of God’s Country Upland Preserve, LLC…a full service upland bird hunting preserve. I started the preserve four years ago and have turned the operation into a premier experience for upland bird hunters from Pennsylvania and surrounding states.

Potter County desperately needs proven leadership and fiscal management experience to lead our county out of negative population growth and declining career opportunities. We need to make certain our county employees feel valued and appreciated. We also need to spend responsibly and not create/staff unnecessary positions. These are just a few items that we need to address and I look forward to hearing from my fellow Potter County citizens. I respectfully ask for your support in the May 16th Primary to put my leadership and fiscal management skills to work for you!

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