LAWRENCE COUNTY Judges choose New Castle man as administrator of county courts

An assistant court administrator was also hired.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- After sorting through 27 applications and interviewing 13 people, Lawrence County's judges have picked a new district court administrator.
Michael Occhibone, 40, of New Castle was named to the position Monday and will begin work next Tuesday.
"I'm kind of thunderstruck by it all. I felt I had a good chance. I'm just finally glad they told me and the judges have confidence in me," Occhibone said.
He will be paid an annual salary of $52,000 plus benefits.
He replaces Phil Boudewyns, who left the job Sept. 10 to take a position in Georgia.
President Judge Ralph Pratt said Occhibone's experience as a county employee helped in the decision. Occhibone is now the county's assistant director of adult probation. He also serves as the Lawrence County DUI program director and has worked as a probation officer and intermediate punishment coordinator for the county.
Assistant administrator
Pratt also announced the hiring of Lisa Hazen, 45, of Ellwood City as assistant court administrator. She replaces Ollie Richman, who left the job in late August. Hazen started Monday.
Hazen's 19 years of experience as an executive assistant at Hazen Oil Inc. was the deciding factor in hiring, Pratt said.
Pratt said 47 people applied for that position. Hazen will be paid $21,600 a year plus benefits.
Hazen and Occhibone are state employees and do not require county approval.
Pratt said that since Boudewyns left, he and the county's second assistant court administrator, Barbara Collins, have performed most of the court administration duties.
The judge said there are several projects he expects Occhibone to take up immediately that were left unfinished by his predecessor, including scheduling countywide "meet the judges" forums, starting the annual courts' calendar and budget, and looking at court security.
cioffi@vindy.com