ORWIGSBURG - Reading Anthracite President Brian Rich announced Thursday his bid as a Republican candidate for state Senate of the 29th District.
In a press release issued Thursday, Rich said with Pennsylvania's economy stuck in neutral and the taxpayers' opinion of the out-of-touch state Legislature at an all-time low, his intention is to bring sorely needed private-sector leadership and job-creation experience to the state Senate.
"There are too many career politicians in Harrisburg with no fiscal discipline and no understanding of how to create jobs," Rich said. "Unfortunately, a number of them are experts at spending money, raising taxes and furthering their own interests. We need leadership in Harrisburg to turn Pennsylvania around."
Born and raised in Schuylkill County, Rich is a graduate of Pottsville Area High School and Boston University. Since graduating from college in 1983, Brian has worked in the family business, which has grown substantively under his leadership.
During his 29-year career in the energy industry, Rich was instrumental in the construction of two power plants, Gilberton Power and Schuylkill Energy Resources, as well as numerous other energy-related projects. Serving as president of Jack Rich Inc., Keller Oil and Lehigh Fuels for the past 25 years, Rich has acquired and expanded the oil business from Schuylkill County to Allentown, Lehigh County.
Rich was also instrumental in the acquisition of Reading Anthracite Co. in 1991 and has expanded the regional anthracite producer to a supplier of emerging global markets while modernizing mining techniques and increasing employment.
He is also a founding partner of Lehigh Engineering, located in Pottsville and Walnutport.
