SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Keith E. Masser, chairman and CEO of Sterman Masser Inc., was re-elected chair of Penn State's Board of Trustees today (July 11). Kathleen Casey was elected as vice chair.
Masser was elected to the board by delegates from agricultural societies in 2008 and became vice chair in 2012. He was first elected chairman on Jan. 18, 2013.
The first of his extended family to attend college, Masser graduated with distinction from Penn State in 1973 with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural engineering. After graduation, he went on to work for Procter & Gamble. In 1980, after his brother’s death pushed the family farm into crisis, Masser purchased the small business, which today is a family-owned and operated, 5,000-acre potato growing, packing and shipping company based in central Pennsylvania.
Located in three states, the business is one of North America’s top produce growing, processing, shipping and marketing organizations, leading the industry in food safety, corporate responsibility and promotion of healthy vegetables. It combines eight generations of potato farming experience with today’s newest potato farming technology to meet the demands of modern business. The potato packaging and warehouse operations pack and distribute more than 250 million pounds of potatoes each year.
Masser has more than 30 years of experience leading and serving on nonprofit boards. His experience includes leadership in local, county, state and national organizations.
Casey was nominated to serve on the University’s Board of Trustees by Gov. Tom Corbett on Oct. 2, 2012.
A 1988 graduate of Penn State, Casey completed a five-year term as a commissioner with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in August 2011. During her tenure, Casey acted as the SEC's principal representative to various international boards and commissions, including the G-20 Financial Stability Board and International Organization of Securities Commissions.
Casey, of Arlington, Virginia, currently serves as a senior adviser for Patomak Global Partners, which offers strategic advice on legislative and regulatory developments that impact corporate decision-making.
She chairs the Alternative Investment Management Association and also serves as a Distinguished Policy Fellow at the Center for Financial Markets and Policy at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. She is a member of the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Advisory Council.
Before her tenure with the SEC, Casey served as staff director and counsel to the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. Casey, who is no relation to Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey of Scranton, earned her law degree in 1993 from George Mason University School of Law.
Because Casey's election as vice-chair created a vacancy in the at-large seat on the executive committee, Masser nominated Ryan McCombie to fill the vacancy. The board took a voice vote and elected McCombie unanimously to fill the seat.
Several other incumbent officers of the Board of Trustees were re-elected for additional terms: Thomas G. Poole, secretary; Janine S. Andrews, associate secretary; Carmella Mulroy-Degenhart and Donna J. Newburg, assistant secretaries; David J. Gray, treasurer; and Deborah M. Meder and Susan J. Wiedemer, assistant treasurers. The board also elected Carol A. Maddox assistant secretary.