Alumni Spotlight – Joe Silbaugh ‘65

A standard question posed to those featured in Alumni Spotlight asks about how their experiences at Susquehannock contributed to their successful life. For Joe Silbaugh, a proud member of one of the school’s most successful classes, the thought-provoking answer touched on a theme cited by many others – seizing upon offered opportunities. He says, “If a door is opened and you don’t go through it, you have no one to blame but yourself.”

Joe, looking back on a distinguished military, professional, and entrepreneurial career that touches on six decades (and still going strong), speculates that his success might have some root in his role as a student photographer. “I had all the responsibility that the yearbook and the newspaper could throw at me,” he recalls. “It seems silly now, but maybe that responsibility helped me set goals and gave me the drive to achieve them. I’m still doing it today.”

In addition to his five-year involvement in SHS student publications, he was active in Mrs. Holohan’s Library Club – the largest of its kind in Pennsylvania. Through her encouragement, he became president of the Pennsylvania State Library Assistants Association.  Mrs. Holohan was to have a major influence on Joe’s life.  Reflecting on that influence, he says, “We called her ‘Mom,’ She would listen to our problems and encourage us when we were down. You were part of her extended family. I never thought of myself as a leader until she pushed me.”

Some of that push also came from drama directors Elwood Ruth and Phyllis Krumrine, who pushed him into accepting lead roles in the Junior and Senior Class plays. “When I got to college [Temple University], I guess that push went further than I thought. I was really active in ROTC and went from squad leader to Commander of the Corps of Cadets.”

Joe graduated from Temple in 1969 with a degree in Management, “Distinguished” in ROTC, and was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. His business acumen was apparent, and he began his career as a Special Assistant to the Chief of Procurement in Chicago.

Through his subsequent 27-year military career, he had many roles, including: Executive Officer of the U.S. Army New York Procurement Agency, Associate Director of Philadelphia Electronic Command providing logistical support to the Viet Nam Theatre of Operations, and worked in emergency planning and contracting at the Chemical and Biological Research Procurement Directorate during the Desert Shield and Desert Storm campaigns.

He continued his education while in the Army by taking every course and training program he could fit into his busy schedule, including completion of the prestigious and selective Command and General Staff College.

He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. His last posting was as Deputy Executive Director, U.S. Army Procurement, Research and Development Laboratory.

Throughout his military career, he maintained connection with the family business, Silbaugh Memorials, and upon his return to civilian life, became more active in its management with his brother Ron. He obtained certifications in real estate and insurance and became active in real estate development as partner and chief executive officer of several successful real estate limited partnerships. Projects to his credit are in excess of $175,000,000 with several more in progress. His companies are responsible for several landmark projects in Central Pennsylvania including Markets at Shrewsbury, Amish Markets at Indiantown Gap, and Shrewsbury Commons. He is active in the real estate development market in many other states.

One of his current ventures includes creating a tax-exempt bond fund that will assist in financing construction projects of schools, colleges, and similar institutions.

He has served on several bank advisory boards, including Mellon Bank, York Bank and Trust, First Capital Bank, and Farmers First. He is currently a board member of Ameri-Metro. He is active in community and civic affairs and has served as Master of Shrewsbury Masonic Lodge; His governmental service includes several terms on the Shrewsbury Borough Planning Commission and the York County Industrial Development Corporation.

He lives in southern York County with wife Ann and is enormously proud of his three children, independent and successful children in their own right: Elizabeth is owner of a wealth management company, Jean is a doctor of Physical Therapy, and Joseph is a vice-president for Stroehmann Bread.

Thanks to Joe Silbaugh, Class of 1965, for making us Warrior Proud.