About the Office
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania county commissioners oversee the operations that are specified by the state of Pennsylvania. Three County Commissioners are elected every four years to manage and administrate the business of the county.
Office Services
In their duties the County Commissioners appoint citizens to boards, commissions and authorities, advertise and award contracts and adopt the budget of the county. To assist the Commissioners with their administrative duties they appoint a Chief Clerk who is responsible for advertising, contract negotiations, aiding the commissioners with the development of the budget, and the day to day management and operations of the county. The Chief Clerk is also responsible for keeping the books and accounts of the Board of County Commissioners, and the recording and filing of their proceedings and papers.
As administrators of the county the Commissioners oversee approximately 761 employees 507 full-time and 254 part-time. In addition to serving as the Board of County Commissioners, the Commissioners serve as the County Board of Elections, Registration Commission, the Salary Board, Prison Board, Retirement Board, and Board of Assessment.
Commissioners
 Mark Smith:
Mark Smith is currently serving his first term as commissioner. Mark grew up in Ridgebury Twp. and now resides in Sayre with his wife Brandy. Mark currently serves on the Endless Mountain Visitors Bureau, Endless Mountain Heritage Region Board the MH/MR Advisory Board, and the Bradford County Tourism Board. Mark attended Athens Area High School, graduating in 1996. Mark went on to attend college in Pittsburgh and later The College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, studying in industrial design. Mark is an avid musician, artist and writer. He has a passion for study of American history and enjoys reading about and discussing the foundation of our nation. Mark has also been elected by seven other counties to serve as their representative to the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
 John Sullivan:
John Sullivan is serving his second term as Bradford County Commissioner. He will be the commissioner representative to the Bradford County Conservation District and will serve as the secretary of the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission. Commissioner Sullivan has served two years with the US Army and is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Agriculture Economics. John and his wife Chris live on the family farm in Asylum Township. This farm has been in the family for 80 plus years and is operated as a cash crop operation. The Sullivan's have two children J.B. and Erin.
 Doug McLinko:
Doug McLinko, graduated from Towanda Area High School in 1976. He has owned and operated various businesses in Bradford County for over 25 years. Mr. McLinko has 4 children, Anthony, Bradley, Marishia, and Ashley. He was the Chairman of Wysox Township Supervisors for 2 terms. During his term as supervisor he lowered taxes by 17% and Wysox Township is now one of the lowest taxed townships in the state of Pennsylvania. He is the Chairman of the Bradford/Sullivan County Salvation Army Service Unit, President of Wysox Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Wysox Planning Commission, Wysox Municipal Authority, Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, and Member of the Masonic Lodge, Rome PA. Doug also serves on the Republican Committee and the Republican Executive Committee.
Chief Clerk
 Gayle Kershner:
Gayle Kershner began working for Bradford County in 1981, and became secretary to the Commissioners in 1982. She was appointed as Chief Clerk in 2005 and sits on the UC Trustee Board and is Secretary of Retirement for Bradford County. She is responsible for the recording, attesting and preservation of County Records and the administration of oaths, directing the completion of all actions required by the Board of Commissioners which includes budgetary and fiscal operations, and personnel matters. Gayle has two sons and three grandchildren. She enjoys traveling, reading, playing golf and spending time with her grandchildren.
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Commissioners
