Lori Altman, Butler County’s chief clerk and director of human resources, was named Chief Clerk of the Year by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. Submitted photo

Butler County’s chief clerk and director of human resources Lori Altman was named Chief Clerk of the Year by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.

Altman, who has served as human resources director for more than 20 years and as chief clerk since 2018, was presented with the award Tuesday during the group’s annual convention and trade show in Lancaster County.

As human resources director, Altman manages more than 600 employees and works with five employee unions and eight bargaining units.

She oversees department directors, manages relationships with the courts and elected row officers and has served multiple boards of commissioners in her role as as chief clerk.

Altman said she was surprised about a week ago when the commissioners told her she won the award.

“It’s quite an honor. It’s an honor and a privilege to work with the management team assembled by the county commissioners,” Altman said. “We problem-solve together as a team.”

She said her dual role as chief clerk and human resources director saves tax dollars, but is time consuming and requires her to spend a lot of time out of the human resources office. She credits the human resources staff for its hard work and keeping the office running when she isn’t there. She called the staff dedicated and phenomenal.

“I could never do this dual role without their assistance. I can’t take full credit. I have a wonderful group of people surrounding me,” she said.

Altman has been credited with successfully leading the human services department through a transition from a civil-service to a merit-based hiring system. The plan was recognized as a model statewide by other counties, according to the Butler County commissioners.

According to her nomination, she “provides guidance and support and has been a leader through opportunities, challenges and adversity, remaining a courageous ‘constant,’ always available to employees facing their own life changes and challenges.”

According to the commissioners, she spent many hours supporting elections through the transition to Act 77 and then led the county leadership team through COVID-19, providing data for decision-making, communicating with staff and ensuring safety and security. As a result, county offices remained open throughout the coronavirus pandemic with intervention measures that led to minimal disruption in public service.

Altman also has served several terms on the board of the Butler Armco Employees Credit Union and on the Pastoral Council for All Saints Parish.

A graduate of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Butler County program, Altman has two daughters, Emilee and Alison, and resides with her husband, Scott Altman, in Butler Township.