PP&L, Inc. has named Kathryn Frazier, formerly the interim director of Lehigh University's Small Business Development Center, as a community development director for the Lehigh Valley region.

Frazier assumed her new duties Monday (12/8). She is one of two community development directors for the Lehigh Valley region. The other is James A. Burns.

"Kathryn is a great addition to the PP&L team," said Donald Bernhard, PP&L's manager of Economic Development and Community Affairs.

"Her skills and knowledge of the area and of small business development will serve the company well as she works with company stakeholders."

PP&L's community development directors are PP&L's key contact with municipalities, community organizations, special interest groups and news media. Their work helps PP&L carry out one of its missions of improving the quality of life and economic health of the communities in its service territory.

Frazier, a resident of Allentown, has been with Lehigh University's Small Business Development Center for 10 years. She was named the center's interim director in October. Prior to that, she was director of the management assistance program. She started as a business analyst with the center in 1987.

She graduated from Lehigh University in 1988 with a master's degree in business administration and obtained a bachelor's degree from Bucknell University in 1982 in economics and English.

Frazier has been active in a variety of community activities, including serving as a trustee of the Allentown YWCA; co-chairing the Allentown YMCA and YWCA capital campaign; serving on the Professional Womens' Council of the Bethlehem Area Chamber of Commerce; and chairing the Small Business Conference Committee of the Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce.

While at Bucknell, she was an all-American swimmer and was co-captain of the Bucknell swim team for three years. Frazier is a member of the university's athletic hall of fame. She has continued her swimming career and currently is a nationally ranked masters swimmer.