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Today, retired Philadelphia Police Commander, and retired U.S. Army officer, Drew Techner, was sworn in as the Pennsylvania State Director for the Selective Service System (SSS) by Acting Director of Selective Service Joel C. Spangenberg. Mr. Techner was recommended for this leadership position by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and appointed by Acting Director Spangenberg. Today’s ceremony was held at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg, PA.
Mr. Techner will collaborate closely with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to help strengthen the Agency’s readiness capabilities statewide. He will assume this new role from former long-time SSS Pennsylvania State Director John Williams, a Vietnam War veteran, champion for veterans’ access to services and care, and decorated U.S. Marine.
SSS Acting Director Spangenberg said, “Drew Techner has dedicated his life to service as a Police Commander with the Philadelphia Police Department and colonel in the U.S. Army. He previously worked hand-in-hand with the Selective Service System for more than 20 years in his role with the U.S. Army Reserve, which makes him exceptionally qualified for the job.”
Mr. Spangenberg further stated, “I know that Mr. Techner will work tirelessly to forge a path forward and build on the success and accomplishments of former State Director John Williams in Pennsylvania.”
“As the new Pennsylvania State Director for the Selective Service System, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to continue serving our state and nation in this critical role. I will do all I can to ensure that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is effectively supporting the Selective Service System and its important mission in the interest of national security,” said Mr. Techner.
Mr. Techner built a distinguished 27-year career with the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), rising to the rank of Captain before his retirement in 2019. During his tenure, he served as the commanding officer at two separate PPD districts, and as a frequent spokesperson for the Department over the years.
Most recently, Mr. Techner managed critical incidents in his senior PPD position with the Command Inspections Bureau, overseeing 6,300 uniformed officers and 800 civilian personnel during evening and overnight hours.
Mr. Techner served 34 years in the U.S. Army rising to the rank of colonel before his retirement earlier this year. He served as the leading Reserve Service Member to SSS for 23 years. In addition to this responsibility, Mr. Techner served as the senior leader in support of the U.S. Army Reserve 99th Readiness Division’s military funeral honors program, representing the President of the United States in performing over 830 military funerals honoring fallen soldiers and Army Families from 2018 through 2023. Earlier in his military career, he served as an intelligence officer deployed to Baghdad in support of Multi-National Force – Iraq.
From 2006 to 2011, Mr. Techner served as the Department of the Army’s only full-time casualty officer assisting Army Families.
Mr. Techner earned his bachelor’s degree in humanities and communications from Drexel University and his master’s in business administration from Touro University International, a branch campus of Touro College, NY. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
As part of today’s ceremonies, Mr. Williams was awarded the Selective Service System’s Distinguished Service Award (Gold) for his more than 27 years of dedicated service, leadership, and contributions to the Agency’s mission as Pennsylvania State Director.
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Federal law requires all male citizens, as well as male non-citizens residing in the U.S., to register with Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday. At 26, a man becomes too old to register. Those who do not comply are ineligible for numerous benefits, including state-level student financial aid, Federal job training and employment, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants. The Selective Service System seeks volunteers to serve on its local boards and as State Resource Volunteers. Interested citizen-volunteers can apply at sss.gov.
