New Fox Chapel manager views move as chance for growth

Bill Gordon always kept a succession plan in the event of his death or retirement as manager of Fox Chapel.

The plan was used recently, and Gordon was still around to see one of the people he had selected become his successor.

Gary Koehler, the former manager of Pine, replaced Gordon as Fox Chapel's manager.

"I've known Gary for the entire time I've been the manager here," said Gordon, 65, of Hampton, Fox Chapel's manager since October 1987. "Gary was one of the individuals I've always had on my list as someone council should consider as my replacement."

Koehler, 47, of Pine spent about 20 years as manager of his home township. He started there in 1983 and was previously an administrative assistant, zoning officer and assistant manager. His former assistant, Cheryl Fischer, replaced him as manager in Pine.

In his time there, the township grew from 4,000 residents to more than 10,000, and its commercial corridor doubled in size. Fox Chapel is smaller, in both population and area, and its growth is more in redevelopment than new housing.

The father of a 4-month-old girl, Koehler, a Shaler native, said he came to Fox Chapel for an opportunity to grow.

"Fox Chapel is one of the premier communities in Allegheny County, and so was Pine. It was just an opportunity for growth and a change," he said. "After every 25 years or so, you're allowed to change jobs."

Koehler will administer the borough's budget, supervise its departments, hire and discipline employees. Fox Chapel has an annual budget of about $5 million and a work force of 37 employees, he said.

"I make sure the roads are salted and plowed," he said. "I handle residents' requests for services and try to address them if possible."

Koehler said he pursued a career in government because of the influence of his father, who served on the planning commission in Shaler.

"He would bring home plans and put them on the table. I would open them up and look at them. I just had an interest from a very young age," he said.

"I would look at drawings of buildings and land developments and subdivisions and go out with my father on Saturday nights and look at different projects and plans. I would start participating with him in looking at things and making comments. It was just something that came naturally to me."

A Penn State graduate, Koehler said he enjoys fishing and boating. He said residents should know he is hard-working, and follows high ethical standards.

"I like to get out and do things and see what's going on in the borough," he said.

Gordon will continue working for Fox Chapel part-time as the engineer, which he figures might last another year, as well as helping Koehler transition into his new job. His first grandchild was born recently, and he's looking forward to seeing her and traveling with his wife.

"We have a lot of friends who have left the area and moved all over the country. They have an extra bedroom for us," he said.