MARSHA PETERSON
Marsha Peterson has lived her whole life in Upper Providence Township as have three generations of her family. As a new council member, she looks forward to helping develop a community environment where residents would want to raise their children and whose family members return to raise their families.
Marsha has an extensive background in pharmaceuticals and healthcare. She is currently an Account and Customer Success Manager at Sycamore Informatics, Incorporated. In addition to her career, Marsha is an active member of the community. Marsha has been a Penncrest Band Board Member, a member of the Media Elementary and Springton Lake Parent - Teacher Groups, a volunteer for Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society fundraising chair, and a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program volunteer. While volunteering has been so rewarding, Marsha wanted to serve in a higher capacity, which brought her to consider a position on the Upper Providence Township Council.
For Marsha, the value of community in the Township is a high priority. “I learned in college early on that your community is really what grounds and frames you as an individual. I want to make sure that the township is doing whatever it can to provide a comfortable community that supports each other.”
Marsha also believes that the community is a resource that is untapped. Using the value of the skill sets of residents, she hopes to bring the community together and to encourage more people to volunteer with the township. She also wants to be sure to stay an active participant in the community herself.
“I want to know what is happening in the community so that I can participate. I want to help our community network. When people need something, they can always reach out to me.”
Accessibility to Council is important to Marsha. She wants to be able to give residents the information that they need in a timely manner so that it can make their life simpler. She encourages residents to feel comfortable enough to reach out to the Council and to have discussions outside of regular meetings.
“I want to be able to provide a service/conduit into local government for our community. I want to listen, I want to learn and whatever I can do, I will do to the best of my ability. We are all part of the same community.”
CHRISTEN REXING
Christen Rexing is no stranger to service. Her dad being a judge of elections, Christen was brought up to be civically minded and has worked in advocacy and policy through most of her life. Christen is excited to be stepping on to Council at such an exciting time.
Christen has a Master of Public Health and a PhD in health policy and is a professor at La Salle University. She currently teaches 3 classes a semester centering in public health. Because of her background in public health and health policy, environmental issues are very important to Christen. She is excited about working towards using spaces wisely in the township and thinking more sustainably.
“We’re a small township, with a small budget, but we have an opportunity to reassess and think about what is Upper Providence Township in the 21st century? How can we use spaces more effectively? It will be so fun to work with a group of people who are all amazing and thinking about strategies that can grow our community and change us.”
Christen is excited to roll up her sleeves and see how she can impact the Township. Feeling like the Township is at an inflection point of change, she wants residents to know that she is here to work for them and with them.
“I am excited for this new challenge and to apply my professional skills and expertise to make Upper Providence Township better.”
Christen resides in Upper Providence with her husband, Pat, their two kids, Charlotte (9) and Connor (6), and her dog, Kona.
We are very excited to welcome Marsha and Christen to their new roles on Council here at Upper Providence Township. Congratulations and welcome Marsha and Christen!