Business development executive Marc Casciani was tapped Thursday night to serve on the Pine-Richland School Board.

Casciani was one of four candidates interviewed by the school board to fill the vacancy created when former director Kevin Nigh resigned. He represented Region 1 in Pine Township—Voting Districts 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8.

Casciani was appointed by a 6-2 vote on the second ballot. Fellow candidate Dan Pasqualalucci received two votes.

On the first ballot Casciani received four votes; Pasqualalucci—two votes; Greg DiTullio—one vote; and Rodney Landreneau—one vote. 

The appointee needed five votes to win.

Casciani will serve until the next municipal election in November 2013. Then the voters will elect a new director to fill out Nigh's four-year term. Nigh was elected to a second term in November 2011 after running unopposed. 

School board members asked candidtes a variety of questions Thursday night, many dealing with the budget and potential cuts.

Casciani said he would handle the district's budget the same way he handles his family's budget—label necessities and then debate other items.

When asked by Dr. Jeffrey Banyas if he had burning desire to change something, Casciani answered: "STEAM. I could not sign up fast enough to be on that committee."

Director Therese Dawson questioned the candidates about their perceptions and assumptions of how the school board works.

"We're not to micromanage the CEO," Casciani said. "We want to set parameters so the administration can be successful."

Casciani is the vice president of risk management for First Niagara Risk Management in Pittsburgh. He serves on the Pine-Richland's STEAM advisory committee.

Previously he volunteered as an assistant football coach for Pine-Richland. He now is a varsity assistant football coach for North Catholic High School.

Casciani received his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School of Business. He received his master's and bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering from Penn State.

Casciani and his wife, Deborah, have two children, Dallas and Jarah.

School board directors voting for Casciani were Katie Shogan, Virginia Goebel, Laura Ohlund, Dr. Jeffrey Banyas, Dennis Sundo and Peter Lyons.

Board President Stephen Hawbaker and Director Therese Dawson voted for Pasqualalucci.

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