Since becoming President on July 1, Scott has already brought his experience, connections and insights to PSPA field trips on urban agriculture (July), horticulture history to present time (August), and Longwood Gardens behind the scenes (September).  He spent the past year as First Vice President working with then President Penny Hunt on transition, reorganization, and planning on behalf of the Society.

Scott says “Having moved into the role of President and having participated with the Transition Committee through a transition year for the Society, I believe that we are at a turning point where we need to reach out to a broader audience…to other organizations that have complementary goals, to people involved in urban agriculture in the Philadelphia area, to the gatekeepers who can help us connect with a younger audience, and to a more diverse population that will bring us new insights into how the food system works in the region”.

Scott was introduced to PSPA in 2015 by PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding.

From 2015 to 2020, he was Special Assistant for Workforce Development at the PA Department of Agriculture where he handled workforce development, hydroponics, aquaponics and agriculture education.  His support for small meat processors and urban agriculture was instrumental in establishing special PA Ag grant programs that continue today.   He was a founder and is current Executive Director of, Lancaster County Agriculture Council and was Executive Director of the PA Commission for Agriculture Education Excellence until recently.

Workforce development has been a focus of Scott’s career.  His doctoral research at Penn State focused on informal adult and technical education exchange between the poultry industry and its contractors.  From 2001-2015 he was Executive Director of the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board.  Scott has a special interest in the workforce of the agriculture and food industry, including the foreign-born workers who come here from around the world to work in our fields and farms.

A graduate of Franklin and Marshall College in government, Wright State University in mental health counseling, and United Theological Seminary in pastoral counseling, Scott has a D.Ed. in lifelong learning and adult education from Penn State University. He is a Certified Workforce Development Professional and a retired ordained United Methodist minister.

Scott and his wife Jacquelyn live in Lancaster County, PA.  They have two children and five grandchildren.  He will serve as President until June 2022 when he takes over as Secretary.