Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau president Jack Cohen has been asked to serve on the transition team for Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro. Butler Eagle file photo

Jack Cohen, Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau president, said he was pleasantly surprised to be asked to serve on Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro’s transition team.

Cohen has been named to Shapiro’s transition advisory committee for economic development.

“To be asked to do this was a shock,” Cohen said Monday. “They called and asked, and I said ‘sure thing, I’d be glad to help.’”

Cohen has been president of the bureau for nearly 20 years and has worked in the hospitality industry since 1978.

“I understand the industry. I honestly don’t know exactly what they want from me, but I’m looking forward to finding out.”

He said he hopes to learn more about his role and any others who might be serving on the economic development committee with him during a Zoom meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

Cohen said he has not yet met Shapiro, a Democrat, and doesn’t know how the governor-elect came to select him to serve on his transition team.

He said he served on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association for four or five years, and remains a member. He said he spoke at an association event a month ago in Harrisburg.

Cohen views his selection to the committee as recognition of the work he and the bureau have done.

“It makes my heart feel good to be recognized for the work we do — me and my staff. I never had a job I loved more. We make a difference,” Cohen said. “It’s nice they included somebody from Butler County.”

According to Shapiro’s website, the advisory committee, which will be chaired by Matt Smith, president of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, will consist of economic development policy experts, business and labor leaders, and rural stakeholders. The committee will play a critical role in advising Shapiro and Lt. Gov.-elect Austin Davis on economic issues.

“The committee will review current policies and make recommendations about how to spur innovation, grow the economy, reduce taxes, cut burdensome regulations, embrace Pennsylvania’s role as an energy leader, support Pennsylvania’s rural communities and create new opportunities for businesses and workers across the commonwealth,” read a release on the website.

Cohen, a native of Pittsburgh’s Stanton Heights neighborhood and a 30-year resident of Cranberry Township, served as board chairman of the tourism bureau when it was founded in 2001 and became president in 2003. The bureau has revenue of more than $2 million a year.