William R. Hall

Chairperson

Townships,  2024

Our Chairperson, Mr. Hall has been with the Blair County Planning Commission for over three decades, first as a representative of the boroughs, then as a representative of the townships. Mr. Hall also serves on the Tyrone Municipal Authority Board and was previously a member of the Tyrone Borough Council. Mr. Hall is a retired engineer at PennState  and currently lives just outside Tyrone with his wife.

Herbert F. Shelow, Sr.

Secretary

Boroughs,  2022

Mr. Shelow is the Secretary of the Planning Commission and is a borough representative. He also serves on the Borough Council in Bellwood, where he resides with his wife. Mr. Shelow keeps active with electrical contracting and other construction-related jobs throughout the community.

James M. Dixon

Treasurer

City, 2024

Mr. Dixon, our Treasurer, serves as a City representative, and also serves on the Altoona City Planning Commission. He is retired from finance at M & M Mars and is engaged in several community activities, including the Master Gardener Program through PennState Extension. He lives in Altoona with his wife.

Patrick J. Baechle

Member

Boroughs, 2021

Patrick Baechle is the Sole Proprietor of Baechle Architects, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, a small practice which specializes in commercial offices, retail stores, multi-family housing and a wide range of projects. Pat moved to the Altoona area in 1987 after and serving 6 years in the US Air Force and graduating from the University of Michigan. He and his wife Pamela and their Golden Retriever, Oskar, enjoy traveling, exploring and spending time with friends and family. Pat & Pam enjoy urban living in a 150 year old Federal style brick home in the heart of bustling downtown Hollidaysburg, where Pat's has established his architectural studio.

Dr. Vincent G. DiLeo, D.Ed.

Member

City, 2021

Dr. DiLeo was a professional educator for almost 42 years, 32 of which were with the Altoona Area School District. He served first as a teacher of students with special needs and then as a special education supervisor; he also worked as principal of five Altoona elementary schools.  He then became superintendent of Central Cambria School District until his retirement in 2017.  He completed his undergraduate, master’s and doctoral work at The Pennsylvania State University.  Dr. DiLeo has been a lifelong resident of Blair County.  He enjoys many types of exercise, volunteering, and working within the community.  Dr. DiLeo resides in Altoona with his wife Judy.  They are the proud parents of three grown children and seven wonderful grandchildren. 

Thomas M. Holsinger

Member

Boroughs, 2024

Mr. Holsinger, our newest member, is retired from PennDOT, and is currently the zoning and codes officer for Roaring Spring Borough. He represents the boroughs on the Planning Commission.

Randal S. Isenberg

Member

City, 2022

Mr. Isenberg is currently employed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at Altoona, and previously retired from the City of Altoona. He currently serves on the Altoona City Planning Commission as Chairman. He resides in Altoona with his wife.

Benjamin Postles

Member

Townships, 2021

Mr. Postles is a township representative and is currently employed and an agricultural engineer by England Farms in Williamsburg. He serves on the Williamsburg Community School District Board of Directors, and resides in Catharine Township with his family.

Linda K. Smith

Member

Townships, 2022

Mrs. Smith was a long-time educator and retired as District Superintendent at Williamsburg Community School District. She was a recent member of the County Assessment Appeals Board, and is currently serving as a member of the Spring Cove School Board. She lives on a farm in North Woodbury Township with her husband.

Bruce R. Erb

Commissioners' Liaison

Ex Officio

Bruce Erb was elected as a Blair County Commissioner in 2015 and was re-elected for another term in 2019. Prior to his election, he was the Sr. Vice President and Director of Trust Services for First National Bank of Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Juniata College and earned designations as both a CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and a CTFA (Certified Trust and Financial Advisor). In November, 2018, he became only the second Blair County Commissioner to graduate from Pennsylvania’s Academy for Excellence in County Government.

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Commissioner Erb serves as chairman of the Board of Commissioners and also chairs the county’s Retirement Board and Salary Board. Commissioner Erb serves as chairman of UPMC Home Health of Central Pennsylvania and treasurer of the Griffith Family Foundation/Sideline Cancer. He also serves on the boards of the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission, Pennsylvania Counties Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperative (PCHIPC), Altoona Blair County Development (ABCD) Corp., Blair County Conservation District, Blair HealthChoices, and Blair Community Action Program. Commissioner Erb was appointed to Pennsylvania’s Election Law Advisory Board by Governor Tom Wolf in 2020.

He and his wife Cathy reside in Hollidaysburg. They are the parents of 4 children and have 7 grandchildren.