HERSHEY – DuBois City Manager Joe Fleming has been elected second vice president of the Pennsylvania Municipal League for 2027, joining municipal leaders from across the state in new leadership roles announced during the organization’s annual Leadership Summit.
The Pennsylvania Municipal League and the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners held the summit Oct. 7-10 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Derry Township, Dauphin County. About 250 elected and appointed local government officials attended to discuss issues affecting their communities, exchange ideas and explore strategies for addressing municipal challenges.
Fleming will serve alongside J. William Reynolds, mayor of Bethlehem, who was installed as league president, and Doug Tusing, Ebensburg council president, who will serve as first vice president. Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler and Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat will serve as legislative co-chairs.
“The league is honored to have outstanding local officials leading our organization for the coming year,” said John Brenner, the league’s executive director. “President Reynolds, and Vice Presidents Tusing and Fleming bring a wealth a knowledge and leadership as league officers.”
Brenner also highlighted the league’s board members, noting that its representation reflects the diversity of Pennsylvania communities, including cities, boroughs and townships.
The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners also installed its officers for 2027. Alok Patnaik of Salisbury Township will serve as president, with Liz McNaney of Upper Gwynedd Township as first vice president, Rebecca Sray of South Fayette Township as second vice president, and Fred Faylona of Susquehanna Township as third vice president.
During the summit, the league unveiled the Public Employer Disability and Life program, known as PEDAL, which is designed to help municipalities save up to 20% on their current life and disability insurance premiums.
Attendees also heard from state and national leaders about initiatives and resources available to local governments.
Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll discussed transportation improvements underway across the state, including $775 million in state roadway projects. He also discussed the development of an electric vehicle charging network along interstate highways and efforts to expand charging access to communities.
Clarence Anthony, president and CEO of the National League of Cities, emphasized the importance of continuing education and lifelong learning for elected officials.
“The easy part is getting elected, the tough part is governing,” Anthony said, stressing that local leaders must recognize the limits of their knowledge and remain committed to learning.
Larry Terry, Penn State University’s vice president for outreach, discussed how partnerships between universities and municipalities can help communities address local priorities.
“We inspire discovery, we prepare students and serve Pennsylvania … so how can our communities partner on each of these goals?” Terry said. He added that municipalities and higher education institutions can work together by combining community priorities with university resources.
The summit also provided opportunities for municipal officials to network and develop relationships that can support their work after the conference.
“The Leadership Summit gives our members time to connect with fellow municipal leaders, share ideas, and find practical approaches they can bring home to their communities,” said Amanda Lane, the league’s deputy executive director of membership. “The relationships they build here continue to be a resource long after the conference ends.”
Sessions covered a range of municipal issues, including creative tourism strategies, stormwater management, feral cat populations, electric bicycles and scooters, and solar energy initiatives.
Additional information about the summit and its programs is available at www.pml.org.