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Chief assessor JR Hardister to leave; commissioners appoint Bruce Peterson effective April 4
Summary
Longtime chief assessor JR Hardister is leaving Lawrence County; the board appointed Bruce Peterson as chief assessor effective April 4, 2025. Commissioners and colleagues praised Hardister's service and cited Peterson's certifications and appraisal background.
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners on March 25 accepted the forthcoming departure of longtime Chief Assessor JR Hardister and voted to appoint Bruce Peterson to succeed him effective April 4, 2025.
The appointment (Resolution 57) carried unanimously. Commissioners and colleagues praised Hardister’s tenure and lauded Peterson’s qualifications. The board and staff emphasized state certification requirements for the chief-assessor role and said Peterson holds the required certified Pennsylvania evaluator credential.
Hardister, who told the board he has worked in assessment for more than two decades, described efforts to ensure the office can operate smoothly after his departure. He noted staff certification levels in the Assessment Office and described training and transition work he has done with Peterson.
“As I have no doubt he will step right in without me,” Hardister said on the record about Peterson’s readiness to lead the office. Commissioners added personal remarks of thanks for Hardister’s service and noted that Peterson brings licensure and experience as a residential appraiser and broker.
The board corrected the effective date on the record: the appointment is effective April 4, 2025. The county will complete standard HR onboarding and transition steps before that date.
Ending
Hardister will remain available during transition; the commissioners said they expect the Assessment Office to continue routine operations and to finalize onboarding steps for Peterson before the April 4 effective date.
