Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. has named Donald Bernhard as a community development director for the Lehigh Valley region, the company said Thursday (6/22).

Bernhard, the former community development director for the city of Allentown, will begin his duties July 17. "We are very enthusiastic about Don joining PP&L. He brings an exceptional level of talent to the important function of community development," said Michael J. Montgomery, PP&L's manager of Economic Development and Community Affairs.

PP&L's community development directors are the company's key contact with municipalities, community organizations, special interest groups and the news media. Their work brings PP&L's corporate resources to bear in improving the quality of life and economic health of service area communities.

Bernhard will be one of two community development directors in the Lehigh Valley region. The other is James A. Burns. "Don will be able to continue his fine work in community development throughout the Lehigh Valley," Montgomery said. "This completes our selection of 14 community development directors throughout the service territory. Everybody is enthusiastic about Don joining the PP&L team."

Bernhard, 44, has been Allentown's community development director since January 1982. He previously served as Allentown's research and intergovernmental relations officer, and as a research analyst for the city.

Bernhard holds a master's degree in political science from Brown University, and a bachelor's degree in history and political science from the University of Pittsburgh.

The Allentown resident is a member of the Pennsylvania DER Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Pennsylvania Housing Advisory Committee. He chairs the Lehigh Valley Solid Waste Authority and is chairman of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.'s administration committee. He is a member of the Allentown Economic Development Corp.'s executive committee, and is chairman of the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Canal Corridor Commission.