Montgomery County has gotten its first ever African American commissioner in Ken Lawrence Jr., who was unanimously picked by the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas to fill the vacancy on the county’s three-member board of commissioners, writes Dan Stamm for Philadelphia Business Journal.

Lawrence was endorsed by the Democrats and will be replacing Josh Shapiro who left his post after becoming the state attorney general. The Plymouth Meeting resident will serve out the rest of Shapiro’s term through 2019.

“Ken has deep ties and a long history of service to the Montgomery County community,” said commissioners chair Dr. Valerie Arkoosh.

“I am certain his unique blend of public and private sector experience, his collaborative approach to problem solving, and his personal commitment to the highest ethical standards will make him an outstanding governing partner with Commissioner Gale and myself.”

Lawrence a Temple University alumni, is currently the school’s vice president of alumni relations and has held positions on several boards, including the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau, James A. Finnegan Foundation, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation.

He has also served as Montgomery County’s representative to SEPTA.

Lawrence was sworn in during a ceremony held at the county courthouse on January 25.

Read more about the new commissioner at Philadelphia Business Journal by clicking here.