Julie Zeigler becomes first Black Commissioner of Crescent Township, PA
Dr. Julie Zeigler is the first Black Commissioner in Crescent Township history
By day, Dr. Julie Zeigler is the Chief Financial Officer for Tadiso Inc., one of the state’s largest medication-assisted treatment facilities.
But she’s also one of five Commissioners for Crescent Township. Crescent Township, it’s located near Moon Township and Sewickley in Allegheny County.
She loves living there. And she enjoys her role as Commissioner, a role she’s had since January 2026.
But what few people know is that Dr. Zeigler is the first Black Commissioner to ever serve in Crescent Township.
Dr. Zeigler had formerly served as Judge of Elections for the township, but some of the other commissioners contacted her to see if she would be interested in becoming a commissioner. She said yes.
Dr. Julie Zeigler is the first Black Commissioner in Crescent Township history
Dr. Zeigler is a member of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s “Women of Excellence” Class of 2024. Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, she came to Pittsburgh by way of Dayton, Ohio, in the mid-’90s. She’s lived in Crescent Township for nine years.
Crescent Township has been around for more than 150 years, but it hasn’t been a home for many African Americans. Its population is about 2,800, with, according to Dr. Zeigler, “one percent, if that,” classified as African American in the township.
Dr. Zeigler and the other four commissioners, for all intents and purposes, run the township. There is no mayor, no council members. There is a township manager, who is helped by the administrative assistant. There is a Crescent Township Volunteer Fire Department, and a Crescent Township Police Department, which has five officers, according to its website.
Dr. Zeigler told the Courier she wants to work to help the township attain more grants, and help the township become “more well-known.”
She added: “To actually bring more things for the children, because there are quite a few children in the area as well.”
Dr. Zeigler wants more upgrades to the township’s park, called Shouse Park, at 1391 McCutcheon Way.
The public school district for Crescent Township is Moon Area. Dr. Zeigler said all are welcome to move to Crescent Township. You don’t have to bring the whole bank, but don’t come with chump change, either. She said a few condominiums that were just built are starting at $300,000 and “the house that was just sold next to us,” Dr. Zeigler said, “they had lived there for about 21 years, but it sold at $399,000. We didn’t think they were going to get that but they got it.”