Former PSATS Executive Director R. Keith Hite passed on June 16 after a struggle with cancer. Hite was executive director of PSATS from 2000 to 2009, when he wrapped up a 30-year career with PSATS. He is survived by his wife, Linda and a son, Marcus and family. 

Before working at PSATS, Hite had been employed at the former Department of Community Affairs, where he was an executive assistant to five different secretaries during two administrations. As the agency’s representative to local government, he developed a relationship with B. Kenneth Greider, his predecessor at PSATS, who hired him as an assistant in 1980.  

Over his 10-year reign as executive director, PSATS expanded in programs, size, and stature. He was instrumental in expanding the Association’s education department and developing a non-dues revenue stream through contracts with various state agencies to deliver municipal training and assist with other initiatives, from census promotion to land use forums. 

Other highlights of Hite’s decade as executive director included construction of a new headquarters and training center in Enola, a visit by President George W. Bush to the 2004 PSATS Annual Conference, and creation of the Grassroots Network to provide a more formal structure for rallying township officials to Capitol Hill.