John N. Lechner is a first term Republican Commissioner and serves as Secretary of the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. He is a 1970 graduate of Gannon University in Erie, Pa where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.   

Additionally, he holds a one year certification in Law Enforcement from Penn State University, is a graduate of the US Army Leadership School, the U.S. Air Force Advanced Leadership School, the U.S. Air Force Command and General Staff College and Penn State’s Police Executive Training Course.

Commissioner Lechner spent 26 years in the Pennsylvania State Police where he worked in Patrol, Criminal Investigation, Staff Services and Community Relations. He held several command positions with PSP and retired in 1998 as the Commanding Lieutenant of the New Castle Station.

Having also served 22 years with the U.S. Army and Air Force, both on active duty and in the reserves, Commissioner Lechner held four command positions spanning 15 of his 22 years and retired from the Youngstown Air Reserve Base in 1997 as a Lt. Colonel/Commander of the 76 the Aerial Port Squadron. After his dual retirements he assumed a position in early 1999 as an Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Public Safety at Westminster College, retiring at the end of 2007 to begin his duties as a Mercer County Commissioner.

Commissioner Lechner is active in many civic, fraternal and philanthropic organizations and has held numerous positions on their respective Boards of Directors. He has been married for 32 years. He and his wife, Marilyn, have two children and make their home in Hermitage.