| The Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Administrators (PACTA) is pleased to announce the slate of nominees for the 2025-2027 Executive Committee election. These dedicated professionals have been nominated to serve and represent the interests of our members, and we are grateful for their willingness to contribute their time, leadership, and expertise.
NOMINEES (listed alphabetically)
State President-Elect Nominee
• Dr. Cathleen Plesnarski – Executive Director, Eastern Center for Arts and Technology
State Secretary/Treasurer Nominees
• Eric Kahler – Administrative Director, Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center
• Kevin Rice – Executive Director, Steel Center for Career and Technical Education
All nominees will have the opportunity to share remarks during the PACTA Membership Meeting on May 15, 2025.
VOTER ELIGIBILITY AND INFORMATION
Any individual who paid dues for the 2024–2025 year as either an Institutional or Active member is eligible to vote in this election.
ELECTION DETAILS
The election will be conducted online from May 15 through May 21, 2025, and will officially open following the Membership Meeting on May 15. Voting will close at 5:00 p.m. on May 21.
PACTA has partnered with Survey & Ballot Systems to securely administer this election. To ensure you receive your ballot and related communications, Active Members are encouraged to add noreply@directvote.net to their safe sender or whitelist list. To add the address to your contacts, follow the steps below:
1. Open your email program and navigate to your contacts list.
2. Click “Add Contact” and enter the email address: noreply@directvote.net
3. Select “Save” and that’s it.
If you are an Active Member and do not receive your voting email on May 15 following the Membership Meeting, please contact support@directvote.net for assistance.
PACTA State President-Elect Nominee
Dr. Cathleen Plesnarski – Executive Director, Eastern Center for Arts and Technology
Dr. Cathleen Plesnarski currently serves as the Executive Director of Eastern Center for Arts and Technology in Willow Grove and PACTA Eastern Region President. Cathleen has been an advocate for Career and Technical Education (CTE) since 1999 when she started her career at North Montco Technical Career Center as a math and science teacher. She has had extensive
experience helping teachers integrate academic standards and best instructional practices into their CTE programs. She served as the lead teacher facilitator for Temple University’s Governors Institute on Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening standards in CTE and then later, while serving as an Instructional Coach at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, she co-chaired the BCTE Math Council which lead the development of Math T-Charts in CTE. Cathleen served as Assistant Director for Upper Bucks County Technical School for eight years prior to her current position as Executive Director at EASTERN. Cathleen has been active in her leadership role with PACTA, which includes serving as the Eastern Region President, Chair of the Professional Development Committee, and member of the Certification Committee. She looks forward to continuing working collaboratively across the three regions to support PACTA’s mission.
PACTA State Secretary/Treasurer Nominees
Eric Kahler – Administrative Director, Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center
Eric Kahler began his public education career in 1997 as a high school Social Studies teacher in Lehigh County and later transitioned into administration after earning his master’s degree from Kutztown University and Principal Certificate from Lehigh University. He served as a high school principal in Northampton County starting in 2010 before moving into Career
and Technical Education (CTE) in 2016. After earning his Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility in 2019, he became Supervisor of CTE at the Career Institute of Technology, where he forged partnerships with local businesses to support student transitions into college and careers. Since 2020, Eric has served as Administrative Director at Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center, continuing his advocacy for accessible, skill-based education. He believes CTE is vital to economic growth and workforce development and has represented these priorities at national and state events, including the 2025 ACTE National Policy Seminar and National Skilled Trades Day.
Kevin Rice – Executive Director, Steel Center for Career and Technical Education
Kevin Rice has served as Executive Director of Steel Center for Career and Technical Education in Jefferson Hills since 2012. He is currently completing his third term as PACTA’s State Secretary/Treasurer. Among his many accomplishments are receiving the 2024 Jacqueline L. Cullen Distinguished CTE Leadership Award, the Community Partner Award from the
Community College of Allegheny County, and Director of the Year honors from the Western Region of Pennsylvania SkillsUSA. He also successfully secured a $4 million Pennsylvania RACP grant to support Steel Center’s $36 million renovation project. Kevin’s passion for CTE was first sparked as a student at Mon Valley CTC, where he also developed leadership skills through SkillsUSA. Over his career—as a school counselor, principal, assistant director, and executive
director, Kevin has been committed to advancing CTE and supporting student achievement. A dedicated member of PACTA since 2002, Kevin has served the Association in numerous ways, including chairing the Collaboration and Partnerships Committee, presenting at conferences, facilitating leadership events, and representing PACTA across various organizations.
Kevin is honored to have served as Secretary/Treasurer and respectfully seeks your continued support to further contribute to PACTA’s mission and success.
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