This Year’s Theme is: Connecting Communities, Sustainable Futures
Hershey, PA (October 7-10, 2026) – The Pennsylvania Municipal League held its annual Leadership Summit at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center where 250 elected and appointed local government officials gathered to gain education on issues important to local communities and form strategies for solving problems. They also learned how state and federal agencies are working to help local government improve their municipalities.
“Currently there are $775 million in improvements in state roadways that are underway across the state.” said PA Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll. Pennsylvania is also creating an electric vehicle charging system network along all interstates and is now looking to bring EV charging into all communities.
National League of Cities CEO and President Clarence Anthony emphasized the need for education and lifelong learning in public service and local government. “The easy part is getting elected, the tough part is governing.” said Anthony, “I always recognized that I had to keep learning, acknowledge I didn’t know everything. We need local leaders that want to strengthen and learn.”
Penn State University’s Vice President for Outreach, Dr. Larry Terry, described the importance of university and municipal relationships in supporting each other’s needs. “We inspire discovery, we prepare students and serve Pennsylvania…so how can our communities partner on each of these goals?” said Terry. “Municipalities have priorities, the universities and colleges have the assets and the two can work together to share the impact.”
At the Municipal Leadership Summit, elected and appointed officials from municipalities across the state exchanged ideas, formed partnerships, and gained valuable knowledge to make local government better in Pennsylvania. The conference brings together the Pennsylvania Municipal League, The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners (PSATC), and the Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Derry Township, Dauphin County, and runs from October 7th through October 10th.
“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 League Deputy Executive Director of Membership Amanda Lane. “The relationships they build here continue to be a resource long after the conference ends.”
2027 Officers Announced:
The League installed its officers for the coming year. J William Reynolds, Mayor of Bethlehem, is the League’s President, with Doug Tusing, Ebensburg Council President, as First Vice President, and Joe Flemming, Manager of DuBois, as Second Vice President. Phoenixville Mayor, Peter Urscheler, and Hazelton Mayor Jeff Cusat will serve as Legislative Co-Chairs for The League.
“The League is honored to have outstanding local officials leading our organization for the coming year. President Reynolds, and Vice Presidents Tusing and Flemming bring a wealth a knowledge and leadership as League officers.” said League Executive Director John Brenner. “We also have a solid group of At-Large members of the Board of Directors continuing to serve for the next two years. We are proud that our Board reflects the growing diversity of communities- cities, boroughs, and townships- from throughout our Commonwealth.”
The PSATC also installed new officers for 2027. Salisbury Township’s Alok Patnaik will serve as President along with Upper Gwynedd Township’s Liz McNaney as First Vice President, and South Fayette Township’s Rebecca Sray as Second Vice President, and Susquehanna Township’s Fred Faylona as Third Vice President.
In addition to networking opportunities, this year’s agenda included sessions on creative tourism strategies, stormwater management updates, handling feral cat populations, E-bikes and scooter issues, and solar power success stories. The full agenda can be access through our website and media center, where you can find additional quotes regarding the Summit’s programs. www.pml.org
Contact
Susan Schrack Wood, Director of Communications, PA Municipal League, 717.645.9467 | swood@pml.org
Holli Hugendubler, Communications & Publications Manager, hhugendubler@pml.org
Britton Kosier, Digital Content & Design Manager, bkosier@pml.org
About The Pennsylvania Municipal League
The Pennsylvania Municipal League strengthens and empowers effective local government through advocacy, education, and support for our members. The League is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that offers a wide array of municipal services including legislative advocacy, publications, education/training, consulting-based programs, and group insurance trusts. For more about the Pennsylvania Municipal League, please visit PML.org. Join the conversation on X, facebook.com/PaMunicipalLeague and LinkedIn. #StrengthThroughEngagement
About The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners
The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners (PSATC) represents Pennsylvania’s first class townships and their elected governing officials before the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the commonwealth’s various agencies. PSATC was founded in 1925 to distinguish itself from the second class townships which are much larger in number. First class townships are generally regarded as the “urban ring” around Pennsylvania’s cities. Many of our first class townships face issues similar to those of our commonwealth’s cities and urban boroughs, thereby making the association’s affiliation with the Pennsylvania Municipal League a natural fit. The League has been providing advocacy services to the PSATC for 41 years. For more information, please visit firstclasstownshippa.org.