The State College Borough Council last night extended an offer for the borough manager position to Thomas J. Fountaine II, who currently serves as the borough manager in Hollidaysburg.

The offer is contingent on Fountaine's acceptance and is effective Nov. 5.

Fountaine would replace current borough manager Peter Marshall, who will officially retire on Sept. 15 after serving as manager for 17 years.

Council President Richard McCarl said the offer brought to a close three months of work to find a successor for Marshall.

"I think this gentleman will be a very good addition to the staff," he said. "The work we've gone through has been a very satisfying project. This was a very strong vote."

Fountaine brings with him considerable experience in local government, council members said.

He has served as borough manager for Hollidaysburg for 18 years, and he has more than 25 years of local government experience.

Council member Catherine Dauler said Fountaine's experience, especially in Pennsylvania, is one of his strongest qualities. "He knows how the Pennsylvania system works," she said.

She added that Hollidaysburg, while smaller, was a similar community to State College in that it was fully developed within its borders and faced developing townships around it.

"He understands what that challenge is to a community," she said.

Council member Tom Daubert also stressed Fountaine's experience in a similar community to State College as a reason for his selection.

"They've wrestled with some of the same issues," he said.

McCarl said more than 50 people submitted resumes for the position, and the council interviewed seven people during the summer.

He added that the delay before Fountaine begins his position with the borough is to allow Fountaine to notify Hollidaysburg of his plans.

The council will appoint an interim manager, likely to be assistant manager Ron Davis, after Marshall's retirement until Nov. 5, McCarl said.

Fountaine graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington.

He has held several positions with professional organizations, including the Pennsylvania State Association. He is currently vice president for the Northeast Region of the International City/County Management Association Executive Board.

He and his wife, Tamra, have three sons, two of whom attend Penn State.