The Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) has announced the appointment of Melanie Serrano as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective May 4, 2026.
Ms. Serrano’s appointment was unanimously approved by the BCIU Board of Directors at its October 16, 2025, meeting. She officially transitioned into the role of CFO-Elect on February 2, 2026, working closely with outgoing CFO Lucille Gallis to ensure a seamless leadership transition within the Office of Business Services.
Ms. Serrano has more than 25 years of experience in finance, auditing, and public-sector business operations. Immediately prior to her CFO-Elect appointment, she served as Program Administrator in the BCIU’s Office of Business Services, where she supervised accounting staff, supported budget development and monitoring, contributed to annual audits, and ensured compliance with state, federal, and grant reporting requirements.
She previously served the BCIU for more than a decade as Assistant Program Administrator of Fiscal Services (2005-2018), overseeing complex state- and federal-grant-funded budgets and supporting financial reporting to the Board of Directors. She later joined Herbein + Company, LLC (2018-2024), where she advanced to Senior Auditor/Supervisor, providing auditing and financial services to school districts, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations throughout Pennsylvania.
Ms. Serrano holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The Pennsylvania State University and is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed since 2005.
“Melanie’s institutional knowledge, strong fiscal expertise, and proven leadership make her exceptionally well qualified to serve as the BCIU’s Chief Financial Officer,” said Dr. Jill Hackman, BCIU Executive Director. “Her thoughtful leadership during the CFO-Elect transition period has further demonstrated her ability to guide the organization’s financial operations with integrity, vision, and commitment to service.”
With Ms. Serrano’s appointment, the Berks County Intermediate Unit looks forward to continued excellence in fiscal stewardship, operational transparency, and long-range financial planning. Her combination of technical expertise, collaborative leadership, and commitment to excellence will help advance the BCIU’s mission of providing high-quality services to schools, educators, and students throughout Berks County.
