MERCER, PA. Long-time leader to leave agency post

A committee will find a successor to head the Behavioral Health Commission.
MERCER, Pa. --The long-time head of Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission Inc. is changing occupations.
Dana Frankenburg, who has served as chief executive officer of the commission and its predecessor, the Mercer County Drug & amp; Alcohol Commission, since 1981, has accepted a position as director of government services for the Hudson Companies of Hermitage.
Frankenburg, 48, of Pine Township, submitted his resignation to the commission's board of directors earlier this month, saying it would be effective Nov. 28. That will allow sufficient time to ensure a smooth transition to a new CEO, he said.
Recent criticism
Frankenburg denied that his decision to leave the commission had anything to do with recent criticisms of the agency's spending practices.
The agency drew some flack recently when it advertised for a new automobile with what some people considered to be unnecessary extras.
The commission has always been accountable for the taxpayer dollars it spends, he said, adding that the criticism wasn't a factor in his decision.
New job
The Hudson Companies created this position and the offer came to him to fill it, Frankenburg said.
He will be responsible for working on new building construction deals with the government, he said, adding that it will be a chance to use his skills in a different direction.
Frankenburg said he became familiar with the Hudson companies when Hudson built the commission's building on U.S. Route 62 just west of Mercer Borough.
A search committee for a new CEO has already been formed, and it will be up to the commission's board to fill the post, he said.
Frankenburg said he has a lot of good memories from his years with the agency and is proud of its accomplishments.