Thomas J. Fountaine II has cherished 18 years as the borough manager in Hollidaysburg but is looking forward to a fresh start as the new borough manager in State College.

"I'm anxious to get to State College and begin working," Fountaine said. "I hope I will be able to provide some good leadership in the community."

The State College Borough Council offered Fountaine the position during the summer after Peter Marshall, who has served as borough manager for 17 years, announced his retirement last spring.

Council unanimously approved Fountaine from among 50 applicants, seven of whom were interviewed.

"There was a clear feeling that this was the man for the job," said Borough Council President Richard McCarl. "He's familiar with the area and the people, and he just came across as a personable candidate."

Council member Cathy Dauler said Fountaine was an appealing candidate partly because Hollidaysburg is comparable to State College.

"Hollidaysburg is not as large, but it's similar in that it's built out," Dauler said. "The development that is going on in both places is outside of the city limits. He understands the challenges we are facing because he has dealt with similar challenges in his current community."

Marshall is on vacation until he retires Sept. 15. Assistant borough manager Ron Davis is serving as interim manager until Nov. 5, Fountaine's first day.

Leaving Hollidaysburg won't be easy for Fountaine, who said he has developed many close friendships through the years.

"I think State College is a great community," Fountaine said. "It's one of the few places in Pennsylvania that I would have considered leaving Hollidaysburg for."

He said the good leadership he's observed in State College, the financial stability of the community and growth in the Centre County region all made the State College borough manager position very appealing.

"At this point in my career, State College is the ideal situation," he said. "I think there will be challenges that will come along with the large university setting."

One issue Fountaine may encounter is the establishment of the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) for State College's National Registry Historic District.

Fountaine is quite familiar with historic districts, as he was involved in the establishment of a zoning amendment that led to the creation of an HARB in Hollidaysburg.

He said he is not yet familiar enough with the circumstances in State College, but will soon determine whether he would support such a step here.

Fountaine said he has talked to Marshall about the job and is looking forward to talking with him more when he makes the move to Centre County in a few months.

As a graduate from Indiana University in Bloomington, Fountaine has assumed positions with several professional organizations. He is the vice president of the northeast region of the International City/County Management Association executive board.