Brackenridge hires Manager Chad Edwards to lead borough

For the first time in recent history, Brackenridge has a borough manager.

Council hired West Virginia resident Chad Edwards to lead the borough’s day-to-day business. He most recently served as Village Manager of East Palestine, Ohio, coming on board months after the February 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment.

Edwards was chosen from among nine applicants for the Brackenridge job. He will be paid $65,000.

He declined to comment on his new role.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Edwards is a seasoned city manager with 10 years of experience in local government. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from Ohio University.

During its recent search, council said early duties of the new manager might include establishing a proper borough website and borough-issued email addresses for department heads and council, as well as online bill paying and account management options.

Councilman Dino Lopreiato said he favored Edwards for the job because of his strong grant-writing experience.

“I liked his qualifications,” Lopreiato said. “He knows a lot about FEMA, and we, like a lot of these small towns, are always worried about train derailments.”

Prior to East Palestine, Edwards served as city manager of Shinnston, W.Va., and, before that, city manager of Gordon, Nebraska.

Brackenridge council also is looking to hire a part-time office assistant, as longtime secretary Denise Tocco is set to retire by the end of the year.