member of the
Peters Township
Council for
seven years and
has lived in the
township since
1988. He and
his wife Crystal
have two children- Keely and Kara. He
is a graduate of Peters Township High
School and holds a bachelor’s and a
master’s degree in Chemical Engineering
from the University of Pittsburgh. He
currently works as a chemical engineer for
EdgeMarc Energy Holdings.
As a volunteer firefighter with the Peters
Township Volunteer Fire Department for
several years, Stiegel got to know many
of the members of the PT Council and
township officials which advanced his
interests in local politics. “This is a great
place to raise a family!” says Stiegel. “I was
fortunate to grow up in Peters Township,
and I want my children to have the
same opportunities that I’ve had in this
beautiful community.”
To contact Gary J. Stiegel, Jr., email
[email protected].
Monica Merrell
Robert J.
Lewis, P.E.
has been a
member of the
Peters Township
Council for
a total of 22
years, having
served from
1982 through
1989 and again
from 2001 to
the present day. He has lived in Peters
Township since 1977, and moved to
the area from Bethel Park. Lewis and his
wife Joann have two children- Brad and
Lauren. He holds a bachelor’s degree
in Architectural Engineering from
Pennsylvania State University and works
as a forensic engineer, dealing with design
and construction defects and failures.
“After initially serving on the Zoning
Hearing Board, a retiring Council Member
asked me to consider serving as one,” says
Lewis. “I reluctantly agreed and have since
enjoyed giving back to the community.”
Lewis enjoys his Peters Township
neighborhood, rural/suburban property
and Peters Lake Park.
To contact Robert J. Lewis, P.E., email
[email protected]
David M. Ball
has been a
member of the
Peters Township
Council for 11
years and has
lived in the
township with
his wife Gerry
since 1975.
The couple
has a daughter who currently lives in
Virginia. Ball holds a bachelor’s degree in
Metallurgical Engineering from Lehigh
University and a master’s degree in
Business Administration from Duquesne
University. He worked for U.S. Steel and is
now retired after 40 y ears. He’s spent the
last 11 years in India as a CEO of a joint
venture company and currently works
with a non-profit to build houses for
people with disabilities.
“I have been active in politics and
community service most of my adult life,”
says Ball. “I served in Planning Commission
for 12 years before going to India and I
feel strongly that by serving on Council
I can make a positive contribution to
keeping Peters Township a great place to
live.”
To contact David M. Ball, email DMBall@
peterstownship.com.
James F.
Berquist has
been a member
of the Peters
Township
Council for 10
years and has
lived in the
township for
33 years. He
and his wife
Rebecca have
five children- Melissa, Michael, Nicholas,
Rachel and Zachary. Berquist is a 1972
graduate of South Fayette High School
and holds a bachelor’s degree from
Columbia University. He works as a
financial advisor.
It is important to Berquist that Peters
Township continue to develop its
infrastructure and amenities to maintain
its reputation as a first class place to live,
work and play. Over the past few years,
he has worked hard to add more athletic
fields to the growing community and
achieved his goal of adding an artificial
turf and lighted field to Peterswood Park.
“We are fortunate in Peters Township
to have the excellent leadership of Mike
Silvestri, Paul Lauer and our various
department directors,” says Berquist. “ In
addition, we have dedicated and helpful
employees. Peters Township maintains
a stand-alone, AA+ credit rating which
is a validation of the prudent way they
manage township resources.”
To contact James F. Berquist, email
[email protected].
Peters Township | June/July 2016 | icmags.com 13
www.peterstownship.com 724.941.4180
has been a
member of the
Peters Township
Council since
2007 and has
lived in the
township since
2004. She holds
a bachelor’s
degree in
Business Administration from Robert
Morris University, a master’s Degree in
Human Resource Management from
La Roche College and is continuing
coursework as part of the Newly
Elected Officials Program at the Local
Government Academy. She is the owner
and president of Vesta Business Services,
Inc.- a consulting company that provides
services to resolve administrative,
operational and facility management
issues, as well as provide employee
training and development, including
OSHA Safety Training.
“When I moved into Peters, I came to
love it immediately and wanted to do
what I could to help make it even better,”
says Merrell. “I was encouraged to run
for Council by my husband, who served
as a Council member for one year before
taking a job out of state, and I was elected
to complete the last two years of his term.”
Merrell finds it difficult to name just one
thing she loves about Peters Township.
“I love seeing green spaces and wildlife,
and I enjoy living in a place like Peters
where most of the people really care
about the community and are willing to
participate to make it the best place to be.”
To contact Monica Merrell, email
[email protected].
P E TE RS TOWN SHI P N E WS
Gary J. Stiegel,
Jr. has been a
Peters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS