Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. has promoted Don Bernhard to manage the company's economic development and community affairs activities throughout its 29-county service territory.

Bernhard, who has been a PP&L community development director in the Lehigh Valley, will become manager of Economic Development & Community Affairs, effective Sept. 23.

The company's 14 community development directors and community affairs and economic development groups will report to Bernhard. The community development directors are PP&L's key contact with municipalities, community organizations, economic development groups and the news media.

Bernhard replaces Michael J. Montgomery, who left PP&L in July to pursue other opportunities.

"Our economic development and community affairs work brings PP&L's corporate resources to bear in improving the quality of life and economic health of the areas we serve," said Raymond F. Suhocki, PP&L's vice president of Marketing & Economic Development, to whom Bernhard will report. "Don has extensive experience in both these areas through his professional background and his involvement in the community. He has done a great job for us in the Lehigh Valley, and we look forward to him applying his talents to our entire service territory in central eastern Pennsylvania."

Prior to joining PP&L in July 1995, Bernhard, 45, was community development director for the city of Allentown, a position he held for 15 years. He previously served as Allentown's research and intergovernmental relations officer, and as a research analyst for the city.

The Allentown resident is chairman of the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Canal Corridor Commission. He is chairman of the Allentown Downtown Improvement District Authority and is a member of the Allentown Economic Development Corp.'s executive committee. He is a member of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.'s administration committee, and is a member of the Allentown Public Library Board, the Allentown YMCA Board and the Baum Art School Board.