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Since taking office, Westmoreland County
Commissioner Tom Balya has promoted an agenda of efficient,
responsive and fiscally conservative county government. Commissioner
Balya was first elected in 1995 and has served as Chairman of the
Board of Commissioners since 2000.
Throughout his tenure, Tom has implemented measures
to improve county services and maximize county resources. He closed
a money-losing waste-to-energy plant, and each year has cut millions
of dollars from the county's budget. Tom helped diversify the
county's $300 million pension fund, implemented a successful
outsourcing of the prison's healthcare services, and led the effort
to carry out a successful Employee Retirement Incentive Program that
saves the county more than $500,000 in annual payroll costs. He also
drove the move to have all county employees contribute toward the
cost of their healthcare benefits -- a first in county government.
Tom has led the effort to improve the county's
public safety posture with a state-of-the-art Emergency Operations
Center and the development of a new high-band emergency radio
system. Tom also managed the county's first competitively bid bond
issue in decades. The bond issue finances important capital
projects, while keeping the county in a solid financial position.
To better inform citizens about their government,
Tom writes a monthly article for the county's weekly newspapers and
organizes the Westmoreland County Mayors Forum, a quarterly meeting
with the county's mayors to improve dialogue with municipal
governments. His push for an enhanced county web site, with
e-services features, and a new 24/7 Information and Referral line
enhances citizens' access to important government services. He is
also one of the founders and co-chairmen of the Westmoreland County
Area Labor Management Committee that promotes improved
labor-management cooperation in order to retain jobs and encourage
private investment.
As Chairman of the Westmoreland County Industrial
Development Corporation (IDC), Tom works to enhance economic
development in the county through the expansion of the IDC's network
of industrial parks. As a member and former Chairman of the
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, he is integrally involved in
transportation planning for nine counties in southwestern
Pennsylvania. Tom serves as vice chairman of the Pittsburgh Regional
Alliance to further promote the county's assets. He is a board
member of the Westmoreland Conservation District and Westmoreland
Human Opportunities, Inc., and a frequent host on Leadership Radio.
After nine years as an information systems
consultant in the defense industry in western Pennsylvania and in
Washington, D.C., Tom managed the campaign of his wife, Common Pleas
Court Judge Debra Pezze. He then worked on Congressman Ron Klink's
campaign and later on the Congressman's staff before running for
Westmoreland County Commissioner. Tom is a graduate of
Greensburg-Salem High School and holds both a bachelor's degree in
economics and a master's degree in public and international affairs
from the University of Pittsburgh.
A Westmoreland County native, Tom resides in
Greensburg with his wife and daughters, Maria and Angela. |
