Dr. Ryan E. Argot, a Pleasant Valley High School graduate, Class of 1992, is a newly elected and sworn-in township commissioner in Hampden Township, Cumberland County.

He has been board vice president since Jan. 5. His current term expires Jan. 2, 2028.

“Serving the community is something I learned growing up, watching my parents (Bob and Adele) serve in various capacities from teaching in Stroudsburg to leading church counsel in Tannersville, to den mother at home and Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network Clothing Room director in Brodheadsville,” Argot said. “As a first generation American, working for the betterment of my community has been a lifelong passion.”

Argot traveled the road to township commissioner in many steps, including earning a B.S. degree in secondary education from Penn State University, an M.S. degree in natural science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an Ed.D. in educational administration from Immaculata University, along with completing a postdoctoral master’s degree in school business leadership at Wilkes University.

Now the director of federal programs at West Shore School District, he serves as the board secretary, the open records officer and the food service director. Additionally, he serves on Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center’s Local Advisory Council; the board of the West Shore Foundation; and as president of the South Central Association of School Food Service Directors.

Before joining West Shore in 2003, he taught science at Susquehanna Township and West York Area school districts, and served briefly at the Pennsylvania Department of Administration during the Schweiker and Rendell administrations.

He moved to Hampden Township with his wife, Kellie, and three children in 2008.

Since 2021 he has worked with community volunteers as part of the township’s Keep Hampden Beautiful program.

Additionally, since 2022, he has been active with the Hampden Township Volunteer Fire Company, first serving with the fire police, and this past summer adding exterior firefighter status to his work as he continues training to become qualified as an interior firefighter.

He is involved with the Cumberland County Fire Police Association, is a charter member of the Fire Police of Pennsylvania, and volunteers with Cumberland County Special Police Emergency Response Team.

In his spare time, he enjoys backyard gardening and studying Tang Soo Do. His studies in Tang Soo Do go back to when he became a founding member of Pocono Tang Soo Do when the school opened in the basement of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Tannersville in the early 1980s.

As a busy community and professional person he has received various professional recognitions and his affiliations include: 2025 Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association Science Leadership Award; founder, Hampden Hunger Heroes; 2023, 2024 and 2025 Top Ten Responder, Hampden Township Volunteer Fire Company; 2023 Rookie Fire Police of the Year, Hampden Township Volunteer Fire Company; American Literacy Corporation volunteer; Pennsylvania Certified School Business Official; former vice chair, Jackson Township Sewer Authority; former treasurer, Ta-Ri board of directors; former assistant scoutmaster, den leader and merit badge counselor.

Also, former board member and legislative chair, Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association; former science teacher, Homework Help on PCN; former management team member, Pennsylvania Special Olympics Summer Games; No Kid Hungry Pennsylvania School Breakfast Hero; Who’s Who Among American Teachers honoree; and Pennsylvania Governor’s School of Agricultural Sciences Service Award. Argot is a recipient of the Eagle Scout honor via his membership in West End’s Troop 98, and while at PVHS he was an intern with Tom Joyce, Monroe County commissioner, in his senior year.

As a youth in McMichaels, Argot spent time working at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm Museum, Scouting and in 4-H, where his main projects included helping raise a Seeing Eye dog and raising rabbits.