The Bucks County Opportunity Council’s (BCOC) Board of Directors recently elected four new board members and appointed new officer positions. BCOC operates with a tripartite governing board that includes representatives of the local government, private sector, and constituents.
The board is responsible for assuring that the agency continues to assess and respond to the causes and conditions of poverty in the community, to achieve anticipated outcomes, and to remain administrative and fiscally sound.
Kenneth Keller, of Chalfont, is a Vice President of Commercial Lending for Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company. In his position on the Board, Kenneth will be representing the private sector. Kenneth brings successful professional acumen to his role, as well as many years of service and experience on other non-profit boards. “As a career banker and long-time Bucks County resident, I was drawn to BCOC’s work in Economic Self-Sufficiency, recognizing the significant need in our community. I am excited to contribute to their efforts in expanding food insecurity programs and low-income housing initiatives.”
David Shorten, also of Chalfont, is the Head of Treasury Management for Small and Medium Size Businesses at PNC Bank. In Dave’s position on the Board, he will be representing the private sector. He brings many years of leadership and creative strategizing with him as he helps the board work towards newly designed strategic goals. When asked what brought him to BCOC, he said, “I am excited to be joining the board to be able to give back to the community that my wife and I raised our two sons in. The community has provided a lot to our family, and I look forward to giving back and helping folks in need.”
Dr. Samantha Gross Dorf, Dean, Social and Behavioral Science Bucks County Community College, will also be representing the private sector. When asked what brought her to serve on the board she said, “I have lived in Bucks County since I was a child, and it has always been important to me to help my community. I think in many ways the missions of BCOC and Bucks County Community College are very similar. Both want to provide opportunities for people in need, and I am excited to continue to serve that mission with BCOC.”
The 2025 BCOC Board of Directors officers are Chair, Tobi Bruhn, Executive Director of Foundations Community Partnership, Vice Chair, Deborah Downey, ES Graduate representing constituents, Treasurer, Tim McCann, Esq. retired, and Secretary, Kimberly Everett, Executive Director of Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership (BCHIP).
“BCOC is excited to welcome Ken, Dave, and Samantha to our Board of Directors! Each one brings a unique perspective. With their support, and the outstanding board leadership of Tobi Bruhn, a dedicated and experienced non-profit professional, BCOC is looking forward to serving the needs of our community and continuing to be an impactful force for the financial and health equity of Bucks County residents,” stated Erin Lukoss, Chief Executive Officer.
BCOC is the lead economic mobility non-profit organization in Bucks County, dedicated to ending poverty by connecting people with the resources they need to thrive.
BCOC has five major program areas: Housing, Food, Weatherization, Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) and the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Program. Housing includes street outreach, rental and move in aid, and utility shut-off prevention. Food services supply food directly to families through a network of 74 food pantries and distribution sites. Weatherization services help families in reducing their energy costs. VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance. The ES Program assists individuals and families to leave poverty permanently through case management, education, and employment.
For 60 years, the Opportunity Council has served low-income families in Bucks County by helping them to stabilize when in crisis, garner resources to achieve a livable wage, gain additional education and training, and work towards economic self-sufficiency.