Candidate for
US Representative; District 5; Republican Party

Chris Exarchos (Ex-ark-os) has a passion for public service and for effective affordable government. His diverse background as a businessman, scientist, and elected official makes him an ideal candidate to represent our 5th Congressional District.

Chris is a proven leader and public servant: He has been involved in public service for about 28 years and has served on numerous authorities, boards, and commissions. He served on the College Township Council for eight years, two of them as Chairman. He also served four years as Chairman of the Centre County Board of Commissioners. During his tenure Chris guided Centre County through three major capital projects without raising taxes! Centre County has set a record of seven consecutive years without a tax increase while maintaining a healthy fund balance.

In his many years of public service he has insisted that the citizens be treated fairly, whether in dealing with government offices or in the use of their tax dollars. Chris sees the urgent need to control the size of government and its spending, and will find the way to do so with each program he is involved with and with every bill he votes on.

Experience is the key ingredient that will enable Chris to work with other elected officials as an effective leader. He is always able to bring others on board with his well thought out, common sense ideas in his constant effort to ensure citizens are getting good value and good return on their tax dollars. Chris has 28 years of "on-the-job" experience. We need his experience!

With over 28 years of public service, Chris has demonstrated strength as a leader, which has produced great benefits for the community. Chris is a champion of family values and the protection of our constitutional rights. He strives for cooperative working relationships with colleagues; and he knows when compromise is necessary for progress. These proven approaches are essential to affordable government. Experience counts!

Chris, 63, his wife Diane and two sons live in the historic village of Lemont, two miles outside State College. He enjoys hunting, fishing and relaxing at the family farm in Marion Township.

Chris is a businessman: Chris and his wife Diane founded and operated a successful small business for 29 years (The Victorian Manor Restaurant). As a small businessman, Chris understands the impacts of government regulations and taxation. He knows what it takes to encourage economic development and a "business friendly" environment. College Township was transformed from a "hostile" place to do business to a township that encouraged sound business practices while preserving the rights of its residents. The same trend continued during his tenure as Chairman of the Centre County Board of Commissioners where he worked with staff to encourage economic development.

Chris is a scientist: His formal education includes a PhD in Geochemistry from Penn State. As a scientist he understands complex environmental issues, short term and long term energy development, and the protection of our environment. Chris knows we must solve our energy dilemma to get our economy back on track.

Public Service:

Appointed to the College Township Zoning Hearing Board in 1980 Served as chairman of the Board from 1982 to 1984. Elected in 1994 and served two terms (1994-02) on the College Township Council Council Chairman in 1996 and 2001 Served on the Centre Region Council of Governments (COG) Chaired the COG Finance Committee from 1997 to 2001. Elected (2004-07) to the Centre County Board of Commissioners (Chairman) Chris has extensive experience in local government, especially in budgeting. He controlled government spending. Some notable achievements during his leadership in local government include:

Guided Centre County four years without a tax increase for a record of seven consecutive years Guided College Township seven consecutive years without a tax increase Rescinded the unfair Occupational Assessment and Per Capita Taxes (roughly a 10% reduction in local taxes) Reduced Township debt by one million dollars Rescued a troubled water system, improving it to a point that, today, water is available to other municipalities Reached an agreement with Penn State on a fair payment of impact fees to the Township

As chairman of the Centre Region COG's Finance Committee, Chris was instrumental in:

Maintaining a constant level of municipal contributions to COG while providing a good level of regional services Developing an equitable COG formula for municipal contributions Developing a funding formula for regional capital projects

Member of: Kiwanis, Elks, Farm Bureau, PA Public Television Commission, Local Grange, NRA, FOP, licensed private pilot