Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael O’Pake has been elected to serve on the board of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute.

The board is the education and training component of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. Those on the board assist the institute in developing education and training programs for prosecutors, law enforcement officials and victim/witness professionals statewide, according to a press release.

O’Pake said he was honored to have been chosen. He believes his experience can be a valuable asset to others.

“I’m looking forward to serving on the board. It’s another aspect of public service,” he said.

O’Pake was an assistant district attorney in the county from 1992 to 2014. He then switched roles and became a public defender that same year until 2017. O’Pake has been the district attorney since 2017.

“I can help people through the process from all different aspects,” he said of new assistant district attorneys and district attorneys.

He said Berks County District Attorney John Adams helped spark his interest in the board.

Three other district attorneys, Deborah Ryan of Chester County, Francis Schultz of Crawford County, and Terence Houck of Northampton, have joined the board.