About Deborah Pontzer

Deborah Pontzer is the President of Grow Rural PA, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to growing economies and improving lives in rural Pennsylvania.

Since 2003, she has served as a director of a $5.5B community bank headquartered in Clearfield, Pennsylvania (CNB Bank/CCNE Fin Corp.). Deborah recently retired after 16 years as a workforce and economic development specialist for Congressmen Glenn “GT” Thompson and John E. Peterson.

Deborah began her career working as a forensic accountant for one of the big six accounting firms, moved on to management positions in higher education, and spent the 16 years working to match constituents' needs with federal resources. 

Deborah is a happy transplant to Appalachia and takes pride in being an active member in her community from serving on economic development and healthcare boards to building and expanding regional rails-to-trails and supporting the PA Wilds work to grow outdoor recreation and visitation. 

Deborah graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Latin American Studies and then earned her MBA at Thunderbird School of Global Management, a division of Arizona State University. Deborah and her husband enjoy traveling, biking, hiking, and finding good restaurants. Deborah has lived in six states and has traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad but now believes that she lives in the most beautiful place of all.