Carbon Career & Technical Institute’s Joint Operating Committee has a new leader after reorganizing during a special meeting Friday.

Renee DeMelfi, a member of the Panther Valley School Board and vice chair of the committee, was the only nominee.

She was seated as chair on a 5-0 vote, replacing longtime chairman Gerald Strubinger.

“It’s a new endeavor for me, and I’m going to work with everyone that’s on the board, and work together. That’s what’s supposed to happen,” DeMelfi said. “I’m really happy. I’m going to work with everyone as best as I can.”

Earl Paules, a member of the Palmerton School Board, was chosen to replace her as vice chair on a 4-1 vote. Strubinger was the only no vote.

DeMelfi believes the committee decided to reorganize to bring a change in leadership.

“Sometimes, you need a change,” she said Monday. “We needed to have more transparency.”

DeMelfi said members felt that the leadership wasn’t always reaching out to the rest of the committee, and stressed that was not a personal attack on Strubinger, with whom she has worked.

“He has been chairman for a long time,” she said.

DeMelfi, who is secretary for the Panther Valley School Board, noted that she has a daughter studying graphic design at CCTI and is excited to lead the joint operating committee.

“I care about the kids at Panther Valley and CCTI,” she said. “If I can do anything to help even one child, I will do it.”

Strubinger declined comment on the move last week to replace him.

James Logue Jr. contributed to this report.