After 27 years working for Adams County, Mark Clowney is discovering what it means to move from administering county programs to helping oversee the government that runs them.
Clowney was recently appointed to the Adams County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Commissioner Marty Qually. The next county commissioner election will be held in 2027.
Five weeks into his appointment, Clowney is learning about responsibilities that extend beyond the agricultural preservation and planning work that occupied much of his career. His new duties include county finances, prison operations, elections, and personnel matters.
In an interview with Gettysburg Connection, Clowney described a transition that has been busy but largely consistent with his expectations. He knows many county employees and departments but acknowledges that some aspects of the job are unfamiliar.
“I don’t think that the commissioner’s position is to know all the details,” he said. “We lean heavily on our staff to guide us and give us recommendations.”
Clowney, who turned 50 in September, grew up in Adams County and attended Kutztown University, where he majored in geography and minored in public administration. His education led to a career in county government involving geographic information systems, land use, farmland preservation, and economic development.
That work took him throughout Adams County, visiting farms, traveling township roads, and working with municipal officials and local organizations. He believes those relationships will be valuable in his new position.
“I’ve always felt like I’ve been the guy that people have called to ask, ‘Can you find out where to do this, or how to get me this?'” he said.
Although others had encouraged him to consider running for commissioner, Clowney had been reluctant to seek elected office while working as a county employee. He also respected Qually and had no particular desire to challenge him. Following Qually’s resignation, Clowney reconsidered the opportunity when the appointment became available. He discussed the possibility with his wife, who encouraged him to pursue it.
Another influence was his work with the Oak Lawn Memorial Foundation, where he helped establish an office and staff. “As commissioner, I look forward to doing more of these jobs, in housing or human services, and so forth,” he said.
One early assignment was attending a prison board meeting, where he learned about preparations for an audit and the challenges of operating the correctional facility. Conversations with law enforcement officials have drawn his attention to employee turnover, burnout, and the emotional demands placed on correctional officers, probation officers, and emergency dispatchers.”These people go home at night, or even during the day if they work at night, and they carry that with them,” he said.
Clowney has begun meeting with budget officials and reviewing previous spending plans. He said financial planning now takes place throughout the year, rather than being concentrated in the final months. He expressed confidence in county budget staff while acknowledging that he is still learning the process from a commissioner’s perspective.
A major concern for Clowney is affordable housing. He distinguishes between the amount of housing being built in Adams County and whether local workers can afford it. He pointed to residential developments along Route 30 and elsewhere, questioning whether new construction meets the needs of residents with modest incomes. “I don’t see how anybody coming out of college can afford anything in this area,” he said. Clowney said he had discussed housing issues with Gettysburg Mayor Allison Lintal and is interested in determining what role county government might play.
Clowney now serves on the Adams County Economic Alliance board and expects to continue working with businesses and organizations involved in the county’s economy. He is particularly familiar with the fruit industry and the relationship between agriculture, land preservation, and economic development.
Clowney has helped advance the proposed Pennsylvania Agriculture Discovery Center, an educational attraction intended to introduce visitors, particularly children, to the state’s agricultural industries. Clowney said Adams County competed with other locations, including Hershey, Carlisle, and Lancaster, before landing the project. He worked with County Economic Development Specialist Harlan Lawson on the county’s proposal and has since been asked to serve on the center’s board. The proposed facility would feature exhibits and hands-on activities explaining where food comes from and how agriculture contributes to Pennsylvania’s economy.
Clowney is also focused on how the county’s human-service organizations work together, including South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP), Head Start, Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S., and other organizations serving families. He hopes close coordination among these agencies will continue to allow organizations to share information, identify overlapping services, and reach residents effectively.
The transition has also changed his perspective on county technology and cybersecurity. As a longtime employee, Clowney sometimes found information technology restrictions frustrating. Now that he shares responsibility for protecting county operations and records, he better understands why those restrictions are necessary.
Clowney said he has no immediate plans for sweeping changes in county operations. Instead, he intends to meet with department directors, learn how their offices function, and look for opportunities to improve efficiency and services. “This position means more to me than just a political position,” he said. “What can I do? How can I help other people in this community? Because we all live here.”
