Board of Commissioners
Nathan P. Silcox
President
Term Expires 1/2026
Email: nsilcox@hampdentownship.us
Hampden Township Veterans Recognition Committee - Commissioner Liaison
Hampden Township Volunteer Fire Company - Commissioner Liaison ("Fire Commissioner")
Capital Region Council of Governments Public Safety Committee, Chairman
PA State Association of Township Commissioners (PSATC) Past President & Delegate
PA 9-1-1 Advisory Board - Governor's Appointee
PA Local Government Records Commission - Governor's Appointee
PA Fire Advisory Board - Governor's Appointee
Alternate - Local Emergency Preparedness Commission
Alternate - Cumberland County Municipal Advisory Board
Alternate - EMS
In office consecutively since 1/25/2010
Nate Silcox has over 25 years of experience in public policy at the state and local levels. He currently serves as Executive Director of the PA Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, which has oversight of Fire, EMS, Emergency Management, Military and Veterans Affairs issues. During his time in the Senate, Nate has also served as the Executive Director of the Aging & Youth, Communications & Technology, and Local Government Committees. He has also served in Senate Leadership Offices, assisting the Senate Majority Whip in the performance of floor duties and working for the Senate Majority Caucus Secretary as Legislative Director. In these capacities, Nate has had a hand in passing over 100 laws, including re-organizing the State Fire Commissioner’s Office and allowing municipalities to establish tax credits for first responders, establishing the Military & Family Education Program and strengthening the National Guard Educational Assistance Program, permitting counties to establish Regional Police Booking Centers, expanding the Local Government Capital Project Loan Fund, permitting students with severe allergies to carry EpiPens to schools, authorizing Respite Care programs for senior citizens, and Chloe's Law - protecting children with Down Syndrome. Nate started his career as a member of Governor Tom Ridge's team in the Department of Education helping to establish academic standards, ensure school safety, and provide for additional educational opportunities.
As a Hampden Township Commissioner, Nate founded and chaired the Veterans Recognition Committee, which hosts the Township's Memorial Day Service, holds an annual Golf Outing, an annual "Wing Madness" fundraiser and is leading the efforts to complete the Veterans Park & Memorial. Nate also established an annual Hampden Commissioners Breakfast with Business Leaders and the Hampden Township Community Shred Day. During his tenure as liaison to the Golf Advisory Board, Armitage Golf Course was voted Simply the Best 6 out of 7 years; the Capital Region COG won the Harrisburg Chamber's 2013 Government Leader of the Year Award; and the Planning Commission - which updated our Comprehensive Plan in 2015 - has been lauded by Cumberland County as one of the area's best. Meanwhile, the Volunteer Fire Company - which responds to the second highest number of calls in the county each year - was involved in the establishment of a partnership between Cumberland Valley High School and HACC teaching a Fire 101 Course. In 2018, Nate received the CapCOG's "Perry Albert Distinguished Service Award" for his dedicated service to the community. Nate was also involved with the update of the First Class Township Code, which Hampden Township operates under. In 2021, Nate served as President of the State Association of Township Commissioners -- which advocates for Pennsylvania’s first class townships -- and received the “Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence.” In 2022, Nate was presented the "Government Leader of the Year" Award by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Nate was born and raised in Silver Spring Township, graduated from Cumberland Valley School District, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Minor in History from Lock Haven University and received a Masters in Public Administration from Penn State University. He is a member and past Deacon at New Covenant Fellowship Presbyterian Church. He has volunteered for Hampden Youth Baseball, CV Rec Basketball, West Shore Christian Academy (WSCA) Baseball, the Central PA Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Model Legislature Committee, Civil Air Patrol Legislative Squadron (received the Commander's Commendation Award for Outstanding Duty Performance), Junior Achievement, helped found the one-time Central PA Fish Tank Scholarship Program ("Shark Tank" for high school students) and is a member of the West Shore Elks Club and the Conodoguinet Creek Water Association. He is married to Magisterial District Judge Kathryn Silcox, and has two children
Sherri B. Chippo, Ph.D.
Vice President
Term Expires 1/2026
Email: schippo@hampdentownship.us
Hampden Township Planning Commission - Commissioner Liaison
Central PA Association of Township Commissioners - Delegate
Emergency Medical Services
Alternate - Industrial Development Authority
Alternate - Recreation and Parks Development
Alternate - Veterans Recognition Committee
Public Works
Dr. Chippo is an Assistant Professor at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Operating at a satellite office in Harrisburg, PA, she is the Managing Director of the Administration and Leadership Studies Research & Training Center (ALS-RTC). This Center provides ongoing research and training opportunities for IUP’s doctoral candidates in the ALS program by matching research needs with research interests among graduate students. In addition, the ALS-RTC convenes faculty and student project teams to respond to research and training opportunities which advance and apply knowledge on needs-based projects. These projects have included training and skills improvement for highway maintenance employees at the Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission; Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) methodology development and goal setting; statewide assessment of victims’ services for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD); and more. As a member of IUP’s faculty, Dr. Chippo taught Nonprofit Management for the ALS doctoral program. In addition, she is currently working on the development and delivery of a veterans’ entrepreneurial training & certificate program to be launched this fall.
With almost 35 years in Public Service, Dr. Chippo spent half of her professional experience with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT in a variety of leadership roles culminating in her last held position at PennDOT was as Director of Municipal Services. There she directed three divisions, 40 field staff, and a variety of programs aimed at enabling and equipping local government to provide transportation services more efficiently. Responsibilities included the Liquid Fuels Certification Program which distributes more than $330 million annually in liquid fuel fund allocations, the Highway Transfer Program with over $17 million in Highway Transfer Funds, the Agility Program, and a New Product Evaluation Program, among others. In addition, the Central Office and field staff provided technical support to over 2,600 local governments and their associations on fiscal management, project design, contract management and more. She also worked closely with industry professionals and union officials to cultivate mutually-effective relationships.
In addition to her work at IUP, Dr. Chippo served on the Board of Directors and for the South Central Assembly and the Modern Transit Partnership (MTP). She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Central PA Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) and chaired numerous committees for national APWA including the Donald C. Stone Research Council. Prior to her appointment as Township Commissioner, she also served her community as a member of the Hampden Township Veterans’ Recognition Committee and the Hampden Township Planning Commission. Prior to her career at PennDOT, Dr. Chippo served four years as a Marine Officer with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point NC where she attained the rank of Captain. She has a BA in Pre-Law from Penn State University, a Master of Science in Business from Boston University, and a Ph.D. in Administration & Leadership Studies from IUP. She is a mother of two children, Aaron and Alyson, and currently resides with her husband, John, in Hampden Township, PA.
Assistant Secretary
Term Expires 1/2026
Email: jgaspich@hampdentownship.us
Sewer/Stormwater Authority Member
Sewer Authority Liaison
Recreation and Park Development
Golf Advisory Board
PA State Association of Township Commissioners Central
Alternate - Hampden Township Volunteer Fire Company
Alternate - Public Works
Alternate - Stormwater Authority
Alternate - Capital Region Council of Governments (COG)
In office consecutively since 1/2014
John P. Gaspich, Jr., is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), and is Certified in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA). He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Master of Law and the Master of Public Administration degree programs, and previously graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Professional Accountancy.
He previously practiced at international public accounting firms providing financial, assurance, compliance, and performance improvement consulting services to businesses, non-profits, colleges and universities, and governments, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and many of its agencies and departments, and numerous Pennsylvania counties. He possesses over 30 years of extensive experience in the intricacies of business, government, and health care operations. John serves on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) where he is a contributor to numerous professional publications. He also served on the AICPA Risk Management and Internal Control Strategic Advisory Group, and on the AICPA Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) Working Group which assists CPAs in reporting on the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of information controls relevant to the security, availability, and processing integrity of the systems entities use to process electronic data. John was appointed by his professional CPA peers to the national AICPA Joint Trial Board which ensures uniform enforcement of professional and ethical standards by adjudicating disciplinary charges against AICPA and state CPA society members. He served as a contributor and the overall executive reviewer of The AICPA Audit Committee Toolkit for both the governmental and not-for-profit sectors. John is on the Pennsylvania Government Finance Officers Association annual education conference planning committee and is an officer for the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners Central Region.
John is a member of InfraGard, a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and private and public sector persons who represent businesses, academic institutions, and state and local law enforcement agencies dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States. He participates on the Milton Hershey School Career and Technical Education Business/Financial Management & Accounting Advisory Panel which contributes to curriculum design for students in this cost-free private school for lower income children. He also participates as a judge in the school's annual student “Shark Tank” competition. John is also active at the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government where he contributes to the Master of Public Administration degree program as a Graduate Student Mentor. He is also a frequent guest healthcare instructor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
He has continually served on the Hampden Township Sewer Authority since 1996 and previously served as a member of the Hampden Township Golf Advisory Board. He has lived in Hampden Township for 30 years raising four children.
Al Bienstock
Term Expires 1/2024
Email: abienstock@hampdentownship.us
Local Emergency Management Coordinators Committee- Commissioner Liaison
Cumberland County Tax Collection Committee/Bureau (Chairman) - Commissioners Liaison
Cumberland York Area Local Defense Group (Co-Chairman)
Defense Dept Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) (Management Group)
Capital Region Council of Governments (COG) - Delegate
Capital Area Transit (Cumberland County Appointee)
Municipal Advisory Board - Delegate
Alternate - Golf Advisory Board
Alternate - Planning Commission
Alternate - Solid Waste
In office consecutively since 1/2002
After 17 years in administration and management in corporate finance and credit departments of major corporations, Al Bienstock changed careers, and for the next 30 years, until his retirement from self-employment in 2017, he was an insurance broker, primarily providing employee benefits programs for large and small employer groups. He also held active ownership interests in several security-related businesses. Prior to his election as a Hampden Township Commissioner, taking office in 2002, Al served for a combined 13 years on Hampden's Zoning Hearing Board and Planning Commission. His involvement in our community encompasses a wide range of activities including: Governor-Elect Tom Ridge's Transition Team, Governor Ridge's IMPACCT Commission Task Force on Banking and Insurance, and the Governor's Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Al was a Cumberland County Delegate to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. He also served on the Tri-County and Pennsylvania Mental Health Associations, Pennsylvanians for Right to Work, and AHEDD (training and job placement for individuals with developmental disabilities), Citizens Against Higher Taxes, Bethany Development Corp. (Bethany Towers), and the Central Penn College Business Advisory Board, as well as several other state, county, and charitable boards and commissions. He currently serves on the boards of Capital Area Transit (CAT) - appointed by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, and the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research. For several years, he has been teaching entrepreneurship as a Junior Achievement volunteer. He was a soccer coach and Board Member of the Hampden Township Youth Soccer Association, and a co-founder of the Hampden Memorial Day Weekend Girls Soccer Tournament. Al has chaired training seminars at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, wrote an on-line political commentary newsletter for 13 years, and is an avid (amateur) magician. After enlisting and serving as an Army Security Agency cryptographer in the Far East, Al started his business career while attending Rutgers University at night. He and Elyse, married in 1968, have lived in Hampden Township since 1975, and their two daughters were raised here.
John V. Thomas
Term Expires 1/2024
Email: jthomas@hampdentownship.us
Industrial Development Authority
Solid Waste
Sewer/Stormwater Authority Member
Sewer Authority Liaison - Stormwater
Governor's Delegate to Chesapeake Bay -
Local Government Advisory Committee
Finance
Alternate - PA State Association of Township Commissioners (PSATC)
Alternate - PA State Association of Township Commissioners Central
Alternate - Cumberland County Tax Collection Committee/Tax Bureau
Alternate - Defense Dept Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) (Management Group)
Alternate – Sewer Authority Sanitary
In office consecutively since 07/2007
John V. Thomas graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School (1963) and from Villanova University (1967), with a BS in Economics (Finance Major). He was a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. He is a member of the Hampden Township Board of Commissioners, Member of the Hampden Township Sewer Authority, Member of the Chesapeake Bay Local Government Advisory Board, member of the PA State Association of Township Commissioners Executive Committee, Vice President of the Hampden Township Industrial Development Authority, Vice President of the Board of the Friends of Historic Peace Church and a Eucharistic Minister at Good Shepherd Church. He has previously served as President of the following organizations: PA State Association of Township Commissioners, PA State Association of Councils of Government, Central Association of Township Commissioners, West Shore Wage Tax Bureau, West Shore Council of Governments, South Central League of Municipalities, the Hampden Township Board of Commissioners, the Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club and the Good Shepherd Capital Campaign. He served as VP of the PA Local Government Investment Trust and continues his service with that Trust as a member. He is also a past member of Governor Thornburgh's Task Force for Housing, County Delegate to Cumberland County Transportation Planning Task Force, and the United Way Allocations Committee. He served as Treasurer of the Cumberland County Recycling and Waste Authority. John was selected as Harrisburg Magazine's "Readers Choice" Stockbroker in 2004 and 2006 and "Simply the Best" Stockbroker in 2005. He served in the 28th Infantry Division of the PA National Guard. John is married to Judy Thomas. They have one daughter, Kathleen (married to Edward Savage), and three grandsons, Michael, Ethan and Kyle. John and Judy have lived in Hampden Township since 1973.