Westmoreland Cultural Trust announces new CEO

The Westmoreland Cultural Trust appointed a new chief executive officer Tuesday after a three-month search.

April Kopas, 50, of Hempfield Township, was hired after the board voted unanimously during their June 4 meeting.

“I’m more than thrilled,” Kopas told the Tribune-Review. “It’s a wonderful countywide organization that’s going to lead the development of growth in arts and culture in Westmoreland County.”

Kopas has previous experience sitting as the executive director of the Redevelopment Authority of Westmoreland County for the last 10 years and has served as the executive director of the Westmoreland County Land Bank.

Kopas said she submitted her resignation to the redevelopment authority on Tuesday night and is going to work with the board to help them find a new executive director. She will remain on the board through the end of this month.

The Westmoreland County Land Bank, which Kopas founded in 2014, develops programs to stabilize neighborhoods. The organization has acquired 100 properties, sold 73 and has a budget of $1 million.

Kopas has also been involved in redevelopment and revitalization efforts through state, local and federal programs and partnerships.

She created the Accessible Housing Program that provides home modifications for physically disabled residents of low-to-moderate income, according to a news release. She also started the Brownsfields Assessment Program, which is a $1 million, six-year initiative to provide environmental assessments for the redevelopment of abandoned industrial and contaminated commercial sites.

“We are thrilled to bring April Kopas into the Cultural Trust,” board Chairman Terry Reese said in the release. “She brings to the CEO position all the attributes we were looking for: leadership, vision, and a record of success.”

In her new role, Kopas hopes to build on work already done by the trust and “expand our vision and take it into other communities in Westmoreland County,” she said.

Kopas is married to Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas.

Marine Corps veteran Nancy P. Anderson acted as interim CEO since Jan. 2. Former president and CEO of the Westmoreland Cultural Trust, Michael J. Langer resigned last November after taking over the organization in 2003.

Anderson is married to Westmoreland County Commissioner Charles Anderson.