Meet Shane Pepe, new Emmaus Borough Manager

Name: Shane Pepe

Town in which you live: Nescopeck

What's your educational background?

• 1999 graduate, Danville Area High School
• 2003 graduate, Seton Hill University. Earned Bachelor's of Business, with a triple major in marketing, human resources and health care administration and double minor in accounting and finance.
• Currently attending Bloomsburg University, where he is three classes away from completing an MBA.

What do you do for a living?

Pepe is transitioning from being the Berwick Borough Manager to the Emmaus Borough Manager.

Tell us why you were intrigued by the Emmaus Borough Manager position.

"Emmaus is one of the most beautiful and progressive communities in Pennsylvania. It is a great place to work and raise a family. I remember back in 2007 when I met Bruce Fosselman at a PSAB Conference. He couldn’t say enough great things about the community.

"During the interview process, it was quite impressive how welcoming the council members, as well as the borough employees were. The community just seemed like the right fit for my family, and hopefully I am the right fit for the community."

What are your greatest accomplishments as Berwick's borough manager?

"In just under six years, we accomplished a lot of things in Berwick. When I began as borough manager in 2006 at the age of 25, we were on the verge of having to borrow money to finish the fiscal year. Going into 2011, we had a surplus in our general fund of $817,000, and that was with only one tax increase.

"Going into 2012, we carried over more than $600,000, while most of our neighbors were increasing taxes. During that time, we received nearly $5 million in grants.”

What goals do you have for Emmaus?

"I have a lot to learn about the community as well as the local government before I can get a true grasp on making legitimate short- and long-term goals for the community. The council seems to be very progressive and caring about the community, as do the employees.

“I want to hear the voice of the council, employees, and community members. It is vital to understand the wants and needs of the three to be able to adequately make goals for the community. Teamwork among all parties is what will help Emmaus continue to thrive in the future."

What challenges do you expect in your new position?

"I have some pretty big shoes to fill. Emmaus has a great reputation and Mr. Neely was part of that formula. I have a lot to learn about the community as well as the way the community’s local government is operated.

"Emmaus is a completely different community than Berwick and has its own set of challenges. I am quite excited to be a part of this community as well as the challenges that this position brings."

Tell us about your family.

"I am married to my best friend, Bethany, who I met the first day of my freshman year of college. We married in 2006 and have a wonderful little boy who turns two years old on Friday. His name is Michael Vincent Pepe, or MVP for short."

What do you like to do in your spare time?

"I am an outdoor enthusiast. I enjoy hunting and love to fish. I am also a baseball nut. I have been a Phillies Phanatic since I was four years old. I used to coach Little League and have been umpiring since I was sixteen years old."

What is your favorite book and why?

"I have a number of favorite books, including Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Album, as well as 29 Leadership Secrets by Jack Welch and The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt. I have a crazy fascination with reading self-improvement books, motivational books, and books that teach life lessons."

Tell us something interesting about yourself that others might not know.

"Hmmm, let’s see. I have umpired in eight Pennsylvania State Little League Baseball and Softball Championship Tournaments. I was the Umpire in Chief of District 13 Little League Umpires from 2005 – 2011."