After almost three decades of service and leadership, Westmoreland County Court Administrator Paul Kuntz will retire from serving the citizens and Courts in our County. At a Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) meeting on December 8th, Kuntz was lauded by his peers for his outstanding service not only to our county, but to the region, state, and country. He received certificates of commendation from the United States Senate and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and a Distinguished Service Award from CJAB, which played a pivotal role in founding in 1990.
A graduate of the Naval Academy who served on active duty from 1968 to 1979 earning National Defense and Vietnam Service Medals, Mr. Kuntz earned his master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, and his Juris Doctor from University of Pittsburgh’s School of law. Prior to being named District Court Administrator for the Tenth Judicial District, he served as a senior management analyst for Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Department.
Mr. Kuntz states that his major accomplishments while serving as court administrator include bringing computerization to the courts, implementing fast track pleas and ARD's, and implementing individual assignments in family and civil courts including a modified one-judge/one-family system. Professionally, Paul is most proud of being elected president of the Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic Associations of Court Management and earning a fellowship in the Institute of Court Management of the National Center for State Courts. He has also served as the ex officio member of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s Criminal Procedures Rules Committee.
Recently, Mr. Kuntz has devoted much of his time and energy to assisting the Courts in planning for a future Drug Court in Westmoreland County, due to his belief that a drug court will reduce crime, save money, combat the growing drug epidemic in our region, and restore citizens who have made poor choices to productive members of society. In this effort he has worked closely with President Judge Richard E. McCormick, Jr., Judge Christopher A. Feliciani, and Judge Megan Bilik-DeFazio.
Of Mr. Kuntz, his long-time colleague Bruno Mediate, Westmoreland County Adult Probation Director says, “It’s been an honor and privilege working with Paul. I’ve learned a lot from him both as a mentor and a friend. Westmoreland County is definitely going to miss him both personally and professionally.”
Well-wishers may join Mr. Kuntz Friday, December 12 from noon to 3 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Rooms 1 & 2 of the County Courthouse.