Somerset Borough Management Team

Benedict G. Vinzani Jr., Ph.D.
Borough Manager
Ben has held the position of Borough Manager since August of 1986. Since coming to the Borough of Somerset in 1978, he has obtained approximately forty certificates for courses completed in

• Grantsmanship
• Community and Economic Development
• Public Affairs
• Labor Relations
• Grant Management
• Budget Preparation

As well as having procured and administered approximately 23 state and federal grants. Prior to being Manager of the Somerset Borough, he was employed as the Administrative Assistant to the Borough Manager. He has worked for the Borough since March 1978.

    Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Pittsburgh, with a major in history and political science, and received additional training in public affairs through Pennsylvania State University; The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School; and the Department of Community Affairs. He Also holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Administration from Kennedy Western University. In addition to the certificates mentioned above, Ben also obtained two certificates for extensive training in grants administration from Southwestern Pennsylvania Economic Development District. He is a member of the International City Management Association, and the Somerset Exchange Club, of which he is a past board member.

    Ben serves on the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce Local Government Relations Committee; Is an officer in the Somerset County Boroughs Association; And is A member of the Somerset County Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

    Mr. Vinzani has had two articles published in the "Pennsylvania" magazine, "Employee Accountability" and the other in "The Importance of Planning". In 1989 his monthly column for the Daily American Newspaper, "Inside Somerset", was awarded second place in a statewide competition for Municipal Newsletters and Reports. In 1992 Ben received the "Distinguished Community Award" from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for his work in the State's Local Roads Improvement Program.

George S. Svirsko
Public Works Director  
George started with the Borough in 2003. He came from Ferndale Borough with eighteen years of public works experience. He is responsible for streets, water distribution, and sanitary/storm sewers.

Randy Cox
Police Chief  
Randy Cox assumed the position of Chief of the Somerset Police Department on August 9, 2004. Prior to coming to Somerset he was the Chief of Police in Ligonier, PA for fourteen years. He began his career in law enforcement in 1977 and is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with an AA in 1979 and a BA in 1981. His graduate studies have been through the University of Virginia.

Chief Cox is a graduate of the 204th Session of the FBI National Academy. In addition to his duties in Somerset, he is an instructor with the Westmoreland County Community College Police Academy, an Adjunct Instructor with Penn State - Fayette, and an Assessor for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. Chief Cox is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, where he serves on the PCPA Legislative Committee.

Michele A. Enos
Assistant to the Borough Manager
Michele Enos was appointed to the position of Assistant to the Somerset Borough Manager on February 5, 2001. As the Assistant to the Borough Manager, Michele is responsible for the preparation of: administrative tasks, grant writing, data gathering and evaluation all of which are reported to the Borough Manager with recommendations. The position requires a thorough knowledge of principles of Public Administration, Research Techniques, Statistical Interpretation and Grantsmanship, as well as the ability to deal effectively with various government agencies.

Prior to her employment with Somerset Borough, she was the Assistant Township Secretary for Conemaugh Township, Somerset County 11 years. She also attended municipal courses sponsored by the Department of Community & Economic Development where she obtained certificates for Municipal Financing.

She was graduated from the Conemaugh Township Area High School in 1990. Her course of study was business, accounting, and consumer classes.

Brett B. Peters
Director of Finance
Brett was hired as the Finance Director for the Borough in February 2001. He Brings with him years of experience from public accounting and private industry. Brett received his diploma from Somerset Area High School and holds a Bachelors Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a major in accounting. 

Craig E. Weimer
Chief Wastewater Plant Operator
Craig started employment with the Somerset Borough in 1985, as a plant operator. In 1988, Craig was promoted to fill the Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator position. Craig has attended and completed numerous classes, meetings, and seminars pertaining to various aspects of his position.

Lawrence G. Kowatch (Larry)
Chief Water Plant Operator

Larry started employment with the Somerset Borough in 2001, as a plant operator. In 2007, Larry was promoted to fill the Superintendent, Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator position. Larry is licensed through the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a Class: A, E water treatment operator, holding all subclasses 1 through 14. He has attended and completed numerous classes, meetings, and seminars pertaining to various aspects of his position.

Prior to his employment with Somerset Borough, Larry served 23 years with the United States Air Force. The last two positions included “Regional Director for Health Professions and Officer Recruiting”, working from Pittsburgh, PA and “Human Resources Director and Standardization Trainer for Air Force Recruiting Operations”, 372 Recruiting Group operating out of Hill Air Force Base, Utah. During his 23 year Air Force career, he received two Meritorious Service Medals, four Air Force Commendation Medals, One Air Force Achievement Medal, two Meritorious Unit Citations, six Good Conduct Medals and two National Defense Service Medals. Other honors included USAF, AETC, Recruiting Service Senior Non Commissioned Officer of the Year, Master Recruiter of the Year, Field Grade Promotion and Basic Military Training Honor Graduate.

Larry is from the Latrobe, Pa area but graduated from Somerset Area High School in 1975. Other than attaining his DEP Water Treatment license, he also is licensed as an Air Frame and Power Plant Mechanic through the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to attending numerous classes in attaining his Water Plant License, he has received training and formal education through The Golden Triangle Regional Technical Center, Columbus MS, Community College of the Air Force and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Fl (BS Management of Technical Operations).