Gary Koehler jokes that it's good to refresh yourself every 25 years.

After two decades of steering Pine Township from a community of 4,000 to 10,000 residents, Koehler has come on board as Fox Chapel manager.

But that's not even the biggest change for the Shaler native.

Three months ago, he welcomed his first child, a baby girl named Kaelin.

"I have a lot going on," he said with a laugh, from his new office at the Fox Chapel municipal building.

Koehler replaces Bill Gordon, the veteran administrator who served the borough more than 40 years.

Koehler was selected from among 50 applicants.

Koehler spent 25 years with Pine Township, the first five as director of code enforcement and land development, and the last 20 as manager.

The once low-growth suburb flourished significantly under Koehler's direction.

While there, officials developed Pine Park, a 105-acre recreational site spearheaded by Koehler. He also oversaw the $10 million construction of the Pine municipal building and community center.

"I grew with Pine. It was a quality community," Koehler said.

Still, when Gordon's position opened, Koehler didn't want to miss the chance for personal growth.

"Fox Chapel is one of the premier communities in the county," he said. "It was time for a change."

Koehler, a Penn State grad with an urban and regional planning degree, has spent the first week acclimating himself to the new digs. He's already met with most of the staff, collecting input on "where we should go from here."

Because of his years spent with Pine and in the North Hills Council of Governments, Koehler already has positive relationships with many of his manager peers.

"I look forward to working together with our neighboring communities," he said. "I'm a big picture kind of guy."

For now, Koehler has no plans to relocate to the Lower Valley.

"I have a new baby and a new job," he laughed. "That's enough for now."