Scott R. Becker announces retirement as Executive Director & CEO of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
Washington, PA— Scott R. Becker, Executive Director/CEO of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum for almost 32 years, has announced he will be retiring on May 31, 2025. He will be succeeded by Jeanine L. DeBor, the current Deputy Executive Director, on June 1, 2025.
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum (PTM) has made significant progress during Scott’s tenure with the construction of a new Welcome & Education Center, exhibit and artifact preservation buildings, reconstruction of existing buildings, restoration of historic streetcars, and nearly doubling the length of the Museum’s trackage. Because of his efforts, its collection of 53 electric railway cars is stored indoors in insulated buildings with 24/7 security/fire detection monitoring, a rarity among transportation museums. Under Scott’s leadership, PTM has experienced dramatic growth in volunteerism and visitors over the past 32 years, attracting over 48,000 visitors in 2024, the most in its history and a 26% increase over 2023. Over 200 volunteers and a paid staff of 14 now ensure that Museum visitors have an enjoyable and educational experience.
Scott also led the Museum’s “On Track for the Future” Capital Campaign, which allowed PTM to make even greater strides in providing an improved visitor experience with a new 21,000 square-foot Welcome & Education Center that leads to Volunteer Boulevard and the Barry Stout Park as well as our Trolley Display Building, Wexford Station, Falconi Plaza, and Christopher Golofski Gazebo. This project opened to the public in November 2023.
“Scott’s leadership has been the driving force behind the museum’s success,” said Michael Kendlick, PTM president. “His outreach as an ambassador for the museum leaves a legacy that will ensure the story of the trolley era will be told to generations to come.”
Throughout his tenure, Scott has assisted PTM with securing substantial support from our community, including donations, grants, and in-kind donations of materials, services, and real estate. Volunteers have donated thousands of invaluable hours to PTM over the years as well.
“The support we have received from the community has been amazing and has allowed the Museum to grow dramatically,” said Scott. “It has really been an honor to be Executive Director of this wonderful organization, and I look forward to remaining involved as a volunteer at PTM.”
Scott has been involved in the railway museum field since 1972 having served as Vice President at Shore Line Trolley Museum and at the Railroad Museum of New England as well as Executive Director at the Connecticut Trolley Museum and Eli Whitney Museum. He was President of the Association of Railway Museums for 10 years where he helped develop Recommended Practices for Railway Museums (now known as the HRA Toolkit). He most recently served as a Vice President and Board Member of the Heritage Rail Alliance (HRA)and was recognized in 2024 by HRA with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Scott is past President of PA Museums, a state-wide organization representing museums across Pennsylvania, and chairs the Washington County Heritage Alliance.
PTM extends its heartfelt gratitude to Scott for his many years of service as well as his wife Donna, who has graciously worked in partnership with him over the decades for the betterment of the Museum. In his retirement, Scott plans to spend more time with his family and travel with Donna. He will remain an ambassador for PTM.
Scott will be honored at the Museum’s Streetcar Soiree on May 16, 2025, where he will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Tickets may be purchased here; for sponsorship information, please contact Jeanine DeBor (jdebor@patrolley.org).