Dauphin County Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III re-elected to National Association of Counties Board of Directors to represent Pennsylvania's 67 counties

HARRISBURG, PA (March 26, 2018)–Last week, Dauphin County Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III was re-elected by members of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) to be one of two Pennsylvania representatives on the National Association of Counties’ Board of Directors (NACo). County commissioners from across the state re-elected him to serve a one-year term at CCAP’s spring conference at the Hilton Harrisburg. He was first elected to serve on the NACo board in August of 2013. 

“It’s imperative that issues important to Pennsylvania counties, such as the impact of flood insurance premiums, transportation infrastructure and adequate and flexible funding for human services, remain a priority on a national level,” said Hartwick. “Representing the interests of all 67 counties is certainly a great honor and responsibility, and I look forward to continue tackling the most pressing issues facing counties and developing fiscally and socially responsible policies related to our state.”

Hartwick, who also serves as CCAP’s Human Service Policy Committee Chairman, has led the charge state- and county-wide to address the opioid and heroin epidemic, provide adequate funding for critical human services, reduce recidivism and implement “smart justice” initiatives through Stepping Up and other programs. He also has advocated for Medicaid expansion and other public health-related issues at the state and national level on behalf of county government.

“Commissioner Hartwick understands that quite often the most important decisions affecting our counties and their constituents are made outside the county lines, at the state and federal level,” said CCAP Executive Director Doug Hill. “NACo gives counties that federal voice.”

Hartwick has served as commissioner since January 2004. Now in his fourth four-year term as county commissioner, Hartwick oversees the county’s Human Services Department, Tax Assessment, Redevelopment Authority, Human Resources, Juvenile Probation and other programs. 

He has received the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Governor’s Award for Local Government in 2017. He also won the CCAP President’s Award in 2016 and 2014, the Latino Hispanic American Community Center Award, the 2015 Greater Harrisburg NAACP Presidential Citation, and the 2014 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence in recognition of his contribution to local government in Pennsylvania. His results-oriented approach led to his selection for the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC’s “President’s Award” in 2013 and “Government Leader of the Year” award in 2006, along with his two fellow board members.  He also has been named “Commissioner of the Year” by the County Managed Care Resource (COMCARE), a program of CCAP.

Prior to being elected commissioner, Hartwick served two successful terms as mayor of Steelton Borough. 

CCAP is the voice of county government, a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan Association representing all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. CCAP membership includes the county commissioners, council members, county executives, administrators, chief clerks and solicitors. Founded in 1886, CCAP is an affiliate of the National Association of Counties.

NACo is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States.  Founded in 1935, NACo assists America’s 3,069 counties in pursuing excellence in public service to produce healthy, vibrant, safe and resilient counties.  NACo promotes sound public policies, fosters county solutions and innovation, promotes intergovernmental and public-private collaboration and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money.