BJ Lechner, bjlechner@nwirc.org 
Business Growth Services Director





Erie Office
1250 Tower Lane • Erie PA 16505
(814) 456-6299, ext. 114


BJ Lechner joined the NWIRC staff in 2006, having spent over 30 years in leadership positions in Erie industry. Lechner is a graduate of John Carroll University and a Vietnam veteran. He began his Erie career working at Erie Technological Products, Eckerd Drugs, and Lyons Transportation Lines, where he served as president for nearly ten years. He went on to become vice president of Iroquois Tool Systems, and then a Division Manager of Dana Corporation, retiring in 2003. Since that time he has worked as a consultant with Decision Associates, prior to joining the staff at NWIRC. 

Throughout his career, Lechner has been active in the Erie community, serving as a Director of Marine Bank (PNC Bank), as the Chairman of the Board of St. Vincent Health System, on the Board of the Hamot Board of Corporators, on the Council of Fellows at the Behrend College of Penn State, as a Director of the Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation, as the President of the Erie Conference on Community Development, and as a Director of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, and Chairman of the Growth Partnership. He is currently Chairman of the Erie Community Foundation.

Click here to return to the staff directory.