Donald M. Bernhard, PP&L, Inc.'s manager of Economic Development and Community Affairs, will lead a workshop on measuring the effect of community relations programs at the 1999 International Leaders Conference.

The conference — to be held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., March 15 and 16 — brings together community relations professionals from many of the country's largest corporations. It is sponsored by the Boston College Center for Corporate Community Relations.

"It is an honor to be included on the program with representatives of so many companies recognized as the nation's best corporate citizens," Bernhard said. "It speaks well of the partnerships PP&L, Inc., has built with community organizations to bring prosperity to and improve the quality of life in eastern and central Pennsylvania."

Other companies represented in the workshops include IBM Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Honeywell Inc., Bell Atlantic, Novell Inc. and MCI WorldCom.

Bernhard will address PP&L, Inc.'s ongoing commitment to community and economic development in a more competitive business environment for electric companies. He also will describe how PP&L, Inc., documents the return on its investment in community and economic development programs.

PP&L, Inc.'s comprehensive community and economic development program is an important part of the company's business philosophy and has been since the 1920s, Bernhard said.

PP&L, Inc., recently was selected by Electricite de France, one of the world's largest electric companies, as its American partner for community and economic development. The company also is the recipient of the Edison Electric Institute's 1998 Common Goals Award for Community Responsibility.