PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Assistant Vice President for Federal Relations

Amanda Wintersteen returned to her alma mater in January 2012 bringing federal advocacy experience and an in-depth understanding of higher education issues. At Penn State, Amanda handles federal relations efforts from campus and enjoys traveling to Washington, DC, to share with Members of Congress and Congressional staff the University's policy and funding priorities related to Penn State's robust research portfolio and student aid programs that create access for students of Pennsylvania. Amanda has served in leadership roles within the higher education community in Washington, including: chair of the Council on Federal Relations Steering Committee at the Association of American Universities (AAU) and chair of the Higher Education Task Force at the AAU; co-chair of the Higher Education Team at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU); and chair of the Big Ten Federal Relations group. Amanda also engages with the undergraduate internship in the Office of Government and Community Relations. Prior to joining Penn State's Government and Community Relations, Amanda served as Assistant Director for Government Relations at the National Association for College Admission Counseling. In this role, Amanda monitored and analyzed federal legislation and regulations affecting high school counselors and college admission officers. She also represented the Association's college access and student protection policy priorities to Congressional offices, Federal agencies, the White House Domestic Policy Council, and coalition partners. Before moving to Washington, DC, to pursue work in college access policy, Amanda began her career in college admission. First, as an admission counselor at Penn State Greater Allegheny, then in various roles in the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Penn State University Park where she traveled the country representing the University. She is a native of rural Glen Campbell, PA, and resides in Bellefonte with her husband Kyle, also a Penn State public relations alum, their two sons and a pair of english springer spaniels.

Job Titles:

• Senior Support Assistant

Job Titles:

• Legislative Researcher

Anthony Stem joined the Penn State OGCR team as Legislative Researcher in August 2021. In this role, Anthony informs the team on current issues and provides data and statistics to the office. Previously, Anthony served as a Special Projects Intern for OGCR in Spring Semester 2019. Anthony graduated from Penn State in December 2019 with a bachelor's in Political Science from the Schreyer Honors College. At graduation, Anthony represented his class as Student Marshall for the College of the Liberal Arts. On campus, Anthony was a leader in the Penn State Blue Band and member of Penn State's student government (UPUA). His other involvements included the Penn State Horn Studio and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.

Job Titles:

• Director of State Relations

Erin Wachter joined the Office of Government and Community Relations in 2023. Her 12 years of experience in Harrisburg include Governor's Office and state agency leadership, and nonprofit sector lobbying. Prior to arriving at Penn State, Erin was Deputy Director of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, serving as staff and policy lead for the Pennsylvania Broadband Office and its planning efforts for more than $1.5 billion in federal infrastructure funding for broadband deployment. Erin previously served as Deputy Secretary of Policy & Planning in the Pennsylvania Governor's Office, where she led the development and implementation of the Governor's policy priorities at the Departments of Agriculture, Community and Economic Development, Transportation, Environmental Protection, and Conservation and Natural Resources. During her four years in the Governor's Office, Erin participated in budget negotiations with the General Assembly; led the Governor's Office effort to negotiate Act 96 of 2021 to establish the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority; and coordinated the development of the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, resulting in more than $76 million invested in agriculture to-date. Erin also served as Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, and as Policy Director at the PA Department of Agriculture. During her tenure at the department, she managed and tracked state and federal policy, legislative and regulatory issues and assisted with Department budget planning and submission. She managed a team of partners to implement one of the nation's first milk to food bank initiatives, connecting dairy processors directly with food banks to provide a long-term, sustainable supply of milk to food bank clients across the commonwealth. Erin earned her bachelor's degree in politics at Juniata College in 2009 and obtained a master's degree in public administration from Penn State in 2012. She lives in Palmyra with her husband and two small children

Job Titles:

• Executive Assistant
• Executive Assistance to the Vice President

Jennifer joined the office of Government and Community Relations in December 2021 and serves as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President. Over the 14 years that Jennifer has worked for Penn State, she has supported executives within Penn State Global, Commonwealth Campuses, and Auxiliary & Business Services. She is the former President of the Penn State Educational Office Professionals Jennifer earned an Associates degree in Health Care Management and served as a Sergeant in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for 8 years, serving as a medical and administrative specialist. She was raised in central Pennsylvania and resides in Bellefonte with her family.

Job Titles:

• Communications Specialist
• Advocacy and Communications Manager
• Advocacy and Communications Specialist

Jimi Werner is the Advocacy and Communications Specialist for our office. He spearheads outreach to our advocates through Advocate Penn State's many channels, including social media, email, and in-person efforts. Additionally, he is the adviser for the Lion Caucus, our university-affiliated student advocacy organization. The organization has upwards of 40 members advocating for the University's priorities and issues. He also works as our office internship supervisor. Penn State has always been a part of Jimi's life. From being 10 months old at his first Penn State football game to sharing his love of the University through his advocacy work. He started his Penn State education at Penn State Harrisburg, enrolling in the 2+2 program, before transferring to University Park where he graduated with a degree in Print Sports Journalism. Before officially become a Penn State employee, Jimi worked for Sara Bozich, a Harrisburg-based digital and experiential marketing firm, helping small to mid-sized businesses make genuine connections to their customers through traditional and not-so-traditional marketing tactics. His marketing and writing experience also extends to regional and national brands like Troegs Independent Brewing and Chicco USA. He is also proud of his work with Harrisburg Beer Week, and annual philanthropic effort, that helped raise funds for Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services. Throughout the events five-year run, which ended in 2020, Jimi served as Communications Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator. When not advocating, Jimi enjoys cooking with his girlfriend or hitting the trails for a run with their dog, Duke. He still currently lives in the Harrisburg-area and frequents local establishments with friends and family to support the local small business economy that he loves.

Job Titles:

• Associate Director of State Health Relations

Job Titles:

• Director of Local Government and Community Relations

Julian Morales, former Penn State Law assistant dean of admissions and financial aid, joined Penn State's Office of Government and Community Relations as director of local government and community relations in 2023. Morales also serves as an additional resource to the chancellors of Penn State's Commonwealth Campuses in implementing best practices as they relate to local government and community relations in their communities. Morales joined Penn State in 2015, where he has held several positions, including director of admissions for Penn State Law and director of operations in the College of Education. He has a total of 18 years of higher education experience. Most recently, during his time with Penn State Law, Morales provided leadership and supervision for recruitment, communications, diversity, programming and events processes, including overseeing recruitment staff and implementing communication plans. Additionally, Morales supervised online programming and supported diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the admissions process, making recommendations for policy changes and contributing to the office's strategic plans. Morales started his career as a football coach at Wilkes University, his alma mater, where he obtained a bachelor of business administration and an MBA in marketing. He continues his passion for intercollegiate athletics by volunteering with the Penn State Athletic Director's Leadership Institute. Morales also holds a master of education in higher education and leadership, and he is currently pursuing his doctorate in higher education, both from Penn State. He lives in State College with his wife and two children.

Job Titles:

• Associate Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs

Job Titles:

• Administrative Associate
• Executive

Job Titles:

• Director of Federal Relations

Malcolm Warbrick is a Pennsylvania native and a lifelong Penn State fan who returned back to the east coast after gaining decades of military and government affairs experience. Warbrick aids Penn State's advocacy efforts in Washington to increase federal funding for student financial aid and scientific research. He also will engage with the federal government, primarily Congress and the 19 members of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation, to advance federal policies that benefit Penn State's students, faculty and staff. Warbrick's experience includes various fellowships and more than two decades in the U.S. Army and National Guard, including roles in government affairs. He came to Penn State after most recently participating in the 2021-22 Asia-Pacific Military Fellowship Program at the University of Washington where he engaged with students and faculty on foreign policy. Additionally, he was an adjunct professor at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, where he taught courses on the United States and Texas state government. Malcolm's 26-year career in the Army and Texas National Guard, where he holds the rank of lieutenant colonel, included deployments to Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. He held multiple leadership roles, including command of a rocket artillery battalion, leading more than 600 soldiers through a Middle East deployment in 2020. He served as a military intelligence officer and was director of the government affairs office for the Texas National Guard, where he was responsible for the strategy, engagement and policy with the Texas gubernatorial, federal and state delegations. Warbrick brings with him federal government experience, having served as a liaison officer on behalf of the secretary of the Army in the U.S. House of Representatives and an Army Congressional Fellow in the U.S. Senate. Having entered the military following high school, he maximized his education benefits by earning a master's degree in legislative studies from George Washington University and a bachelor's degree in education and language (Persian-Farsi) from the University of Central Florida. Warbrick is a lifelong Penn State fan who looks forward to visiting regularly. He and his wife will reside in Washington, D.C., following a move from Austin. Warbrick has four adult sons.

Job Titles:

• Vice President for Government and Community Relations

Michael Stefan joined the Office of Government and Community Relations in 2017. His 15 years of experience in Harrisburg include campaign work, lobbying and executive branch service. Prior to arriving at Penn State's Government and Community Relations, Michael served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. As Director, Michael served as a liaison between Governor Wolf's Administration, the Department, and the State Legislature. Michael previously served as Director of Government Affairs for the Office of Attorney General, and Legislative Director for the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. He began his career with the House Democratic Campaign Committee in 2007. Michael earned his bachelor's degree in business management at Penn State in 2007 and obtained his law degree from Widener University Commonwealth Law School in 2012. Michael is a native of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, and currently resides in State College, Pennsylvania, with his wife Samantha and two small children, Sylvie, and Michael Jr.

Job Titles:

• Associate Vice President of Governmental Health Relations
• Associate Vice President, Government Health Relations

Sheilah Borne is the Associate Vice President for Governmental Health Relations for Penn State. She began her work in the University's Office of Government and Community Relations in May 2004. In her role, Sheilah represents Penn State's legislative and regulatory health care interests on the local, state, and federal levels before elected and appointed governmental bodies. Prior to her tenure with Penn State Hershey, Sheilah was Assistant Director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness in the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Sheilah served as a senior appointee in both the Ridge and Schweiker gubernatorial administrations in the Department of Labor and Industry and the Office of Homeland Security for the Commonwealth, respectively. Sheilah also served in the private sector as the Chief Operating Officer of the 521 Management Group. Sheilah earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Temple University and began her professional career as a congressional aid in Washington, D.C., serving for six years as a senior staff member to U.S. Congressman George W. Gekas. Sheilah serves on the Executive Committee (Vice Chair) of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, and chairs the Chamber's Government Relations Committee. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, the Executive Board of the Modern Transit Partnership, the Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series, Shalom House (a homeless shelter for women and children), and she is a member of the American Heart Association Capital Region's Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team. Sheilah was recently sworn in as the Mayor of Paxtang Borough in Dauphin County. She resides in Paxtang with her husband, Timothy Fuller, and their two children.

Job Titles:

• Administrative Support Coordinator for the Office of Government

Val Warner serves as an Administrative Support Coordinator for the Office of Government and Community Relations. Val graduated from South Hills School of Business and Technology in 2000 with an Associate's Degree. After graduation, she worked for 14 years at a local engineering firm, where she started out with entry-level administrative duties and worked her way up by adding Marketing, Payroll, and Contract Administration duties. Val came to Penn State in 2016 as an Administrative Support Assistant supporting the Financial Office, Cost Analysis, Financial Reporting, and Financial Information Systems. In the fall of 2019, she took on the role of Purchasing Card Control Coordinator, being responsible for oversight and management of Purchasing Card transactions, history, and as a key control point for the Business and Finance oversight of the program. In 2019 Val was the recipient of the Corporate Controllers Office Charles R. Chambers Award. She is a member and currently serves on the Executive Board of the Penn State Education Office Professionals (PSEOP) group. Born and raised in Centre County, PA, she resides in Penns Valley with her husband, Devon, a Penn College alum, on their 31 acres where they plan to start their own farmette.

Job Titles:

• Administrative Support Coordinator
• Senior Support Assistant

Val Warner serves as an Administrative Support Coordinator for the Office of Government and Community Relations. Val graduated from South Hills School of Business and Technology in 2000 with an Associate's Degree. After graduation, she worked for 14 years at a local engineering firm, where she started out with entry-level administrative duties and worked her way up by adding Marketing, Payroll, and Contract Administration duties. Val came to Penn State in 2016 as an Administrative Support Assistant supporting the Financial Office, Cost Analysis, Financial Reporting, and Financial Information Systems. In the fall of 2019, she took on the role of Purchasing Card Control Coordinator, being responsible for oversight and management of Purchasing Card transactions, history, and as a key control point for the Business and Finance oversight of the program. In 2019 Val was the recipient of the Corporate Controllers Office Charles R. Chambers Award. She is a member and currently serves on the Executive Board of the Penn State Education Office Professionals (PSEOP) group.