VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) — A former Centre County president judge was recently appointed acting president judge in Venango County.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court appointed Thomas K. Kistler acting president judge to serve while Venango County President Judge Oliver Lobaugh is on leave.

According to court officials, Kistler had been one of the senior judges who have been filling in since Judge Robert Boyer announced his retirement and stepped down from the Venango County bench in May.

Kistler earned both his undergraduate degree and his J.D. from Pennsylvania State University.

He was first elected to the bench in Centre County in 1997 and was retained to the position in 2007. He retired in December 2017 and assumed senior status in 2019.

Governor Tom Wolf nominated Kistler for a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2015, but Kistler later withdrew his name from consideration.

Court officials say it is currently unknown how long Judge Lobaugh will be on leave.