Northwest Commission Regional Planning Manager, Sue Smith’s last day is June 29th.  Her duties at the Commission included managing the region’s infrastructure planning and development and coordinates transportation planning and programming between the counties of Clarion, Crawford, Forest, Venango, and Warren, and the Department of Transportation through the development of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  She also facilitated the Greenways Block Grant Program which uses small grants to advance economic growth and implementation of the greenways plans throughout the region.

Northwest Commission Executive Director, Jill Foys, stated, “Sue’s career of service to the Northwest Pennsylvania region and Venango County is to be recognized and respected. During her tenure at the Northwest Commission, she has created a foundation of relationships and processes that will serve the agency well in the future.  On behalf of the Northwest Commission Board of Directors and Staff, I wish Sue good health and best wishes in her retirement.”

As a former county commissioner, she brought a broad range of experience and insight to transportation and regional planning.  She plans on traveling during her retirement and visiting with her children and grandchildren.

Taking her place is Travis Siegel who is currently employed at the Northwest Commission as the Project Specialist.  Siegel joined the Commission in 2007.  Over the past 11 years, Travis has worked in both the economic development and community development programs.

Foys went on to say, “The Board of Directors and I are pleased to promote Travis to a position of program management in the agency.  His professional growth during his career at the Northwest Commission has prepared him well for the role and we look forward to him building on Sue’s work and achieving his vision for the Transportation Planning Program.”

Most recently, he has coordinated the PennDOT Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) for Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties.  Siegel stated, “I look forward to this role and being a part of the Northwest Rural Planning Organization.  Sue has done a great job working with PennDOT and the counties we serve.  I hope to continue that relationship.”

Siegel resides in Clarion, PA with his wife Kelly and three daughters, Noelle, Scarlett and Isla.