Meet Our Board

Sherene Hess began serving as Indiana County Commissioner in January 2016 after a nearly twenty-five-year career in environmental resources conservation and management. Commissioner Hess’s professional accomplishments include assisting agricultural producers in western PA in efforts to protect soil and water; expanding the county recycling center and programs; facilitating hundreds of water quality education projects across the state; and working with organizations to elevate awareness of the challenges and opportunities of the significant growth of the unconventional well production in PA. She also has held appointments on local and state advisory boards.

As a result of her position as county commissioner and her service as president of the League of Women Voters for fourteen years, Commissioner Hess understands the complex issues facing Indiana County, the region, and the state. In partnership with other elected officials and many government and nonprofit organizations, Hess’ current efforts includes coordination and delivery of crucial human services that protect the most vulnerable and needy; expansion of the capacity for drug and alcohol and mental health services; provision for sufficient and continuous justice system operations and key emergency management services; and promotion of workforce development, and business and job creation in the county.

She heads an initiative to establish the Indiana County Sustainable Economic Development Task Force, which will link with existing economic development efforts to identify new opportunities in the renewable energy sector, sustainable agriculture, new building construction and renovation using sustainable methods, and environmental restoration and natural resources stewardship. Commissioner Hess earned a degree in environmental resources management through the College of Agriculture Sciences at Penn State University. shess@indianacountypa.gov

Gerald Smith is a 20-year veteran teacher of high school math, who has spent time teaching in public schools in St. Louis, MO, Portland, OR, Renton, WA, and now Indiana, PA. Gerald also spent three years working with communities in East, and Southern Africa on increasing access to quality education. Gerald has also worked as a community organizer, coordinating a national health care coalition focused on eliminating racial disparities in health outcomes, leading a successful federal campaign to reauthorize an important health program for low-income children, and publishing living wage reports which helped to improve conditions for low-wage workers. Gerald helped found the Center for Community Growth, and led film festivals and community news radio/web programs focused on spreading awareness of social issues and COVID-19 health information, raised funds to expand farmers market access to low income residents, and led the campaign to form the Indiana County Sustainable Economy Task Force. As a three term Borough Councilor, he led Indiana through sustainable upgrades of our Waste Water Treatment Plant, and provided focus on stormwater management to alleviate flooding. Under Gerald's leadership, his community took concrete action to be a Sustainable, Welcoming Community, with a focus on civil rights.

Brandon Vick is an associate professor of economics at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has been a research associate with the Administration and Leadership Studies Research and Training Center (ALS-RTC) since 2017. His current work focuses on measuring improvements in the Pennsylvania criminal justice system and costs associated with various forms of victimization. Recent reports include an analysis of county recidivism trends, estimates on the economic costs of firearm injuries (both accidental and by assault), and the effects of the COVID pandemic on state-wide violent crime and victimization trends. Previous research has focused on measuring economic disparities (i.e. poverty or earnings) faced by certain groups of people: people with disabilities, people with severe psychiatric disorder, and veterans reintegrating into civilian life.

Dr. Vick has a decade of teaching experience across elementary, high school, continuing education, and university settings. He currently teaches the Economics of Crime, Labor Economics, and Health Economics. He is a former Peace Corps volunteer, an experience that led him to become an economist that focuses on personal and economic development.

Tina Perdue began her “second act” as a meditation teacher and community volunteer after a 32 year career teaching writing and public speaking to under-served and at-risk students at the University of Cincinnati, the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and of course, IUP. Her membership in the social justice – oriented First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana PA let her dip her toes in the waters of social activism, and as she became better acquainted with the Indiana community, she got involved with the Center for Community Growth and the League of Women Voters' local Environmental Issues Committee. In this role, Tina helped launch the Sustainable Economic Development Task Force in 2016, of which she is still an active member.

She has lent her writing skills to the campaigns of Susan Boser and Sherene Hess and served as Secretary of the Indiana County Democrats and Activism Co-Chair of the Federation of Democratic Women’s local chapter. She continues her involvement in First UU’s Social Justice projects and is currently very active in Indiana County Thrives’ new initiatives to foster a just transition in Indiana County to well paying jobs in the new energy economy.

Kyle Mudry has built his career around enhancing government transparency and managing grant-funded projects. His local contributions began in Indiana Borough, where he served over five years as the Communications & Grants Coordinator, promoting community projects and initiatives. Kyle has since taken his talents to HRG, Inc., stepping into the role of Financial Solutions Specialist at the engineering firm renowned for its holistic approaches to community management. Educated in communications and sustainability, Kyle's dedication to community service extends beyond his professional life. He actively supports local development as a Board Member for the Center For Community Growth. In his spare time, Kyle enjoys researching new ideas and rooting for Pittsburgh's sports teams.

Best home-brewer in all of Indiana, Peter acts as a liaison between the Center and Borough Council. Through his years as a professor at IUP and his time serving the Council, Peter has a keen understanding of Indiana’s values, and how they mesh with those of the Center.

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Allison serves as the Energy Communities Americorps VISTA placed at The Center for Community Growth, supporting grant research, financial management, membership coordination, and organizational development. She holds a B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adult Advocacy Studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Driven by a commitment to social, economic, and environmental justice, Ally is passionate about strengthening community-led solutions that build a more equitable future.

James Decker is a lifelong member of Indiana County and proudly served in county law enforcement working in the Probation Department for 33 years. Currently James is working as
the Director of Development for the Community Guidance Center. His work focuses on grant administration, using funding to assist in development of new or improved treatment
modalities in Indiana, Clearfield, Jefferson and Westmoreland Counties offered by the Community Guidance Center.
James brings a passion for addressing the marginalized populations dealing with mental and behavioral health issues. James also is involved with the Indiana Franklin Lodge of Freemasons and the Holy Rood Commandry of the Knights Templar serving in leadership roles. James has hobbies of gaming, a love for sports and spending time with his family. He has completed undergraduate studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh/Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and has studied abroad in doctoral classes at Keele University located in North Staffordshire, England.

A thirty-year resident of Indiana County, Linda has been engaged in various forms of community service during those years. Most notably she was a long serving chairwoman of the Indiana Cares Campaign to End Homophobia (ICC) from 2000 to 2014 and was an active member of the Indiana Garden Club. After a twenty-year career as a service representative in business, Linda served another eighteen years at a local credit union. Between those two employments, she earned her certification as a chef at the IUP Culinary Academy and then owned a local restaurant. Since her retirement in 2022, she has served as a volunteer at the Chevy Chase Community Center and occasionally bakes treats to share with the clients there. She also manages special events for the Indiana County Democratic Committee and the local Democratic Women's club. She looks forward to finding ways to serve through the CCG.

Growing up in a military-family that would frequently move, Tristen Kristoff decided to call Indiana Borough home after finding something special in the Indiana Community Garden at Mack Park. Since finding that space of home in Indiana, Tristen has dedicated much of his young adult life toward causes of community involvement. During his time at IUP, Tristen notably was the cofounder of the IUP Transgender and Ally Group, not wanting anyone to be forgotten or feel unwanted. Tristen always seeks new opportunities to help the community, as the former Outreach & Resource Coordinator at the Chevy Chase Community Center, as a Board Member at The Indiana Theater Project or through volunteer efforts alongside Indiana Free Library as their Owl Mascot- Owlbert Einstein! Tristen continues to apply himself to social justice work for those in need as a Community Life Assistant at Saint Andrew's Village, a local nursing home, while studying toward a Sociology degree at St. Vincent College.