Mr. Bernhard currently coordinates a private sector initiative, Downtown Allentown Community Development Initiative, DACDI, to revitalize center city Allentown neighborhoods. Mr. Bernhard is a native of Allentown and a graduate of Allentown public schools. He holds an M.A. in political science from Brown University and a B.A. in history and political science from the University of Pittsburgh.
He and his late wife Arlene have two children, Spencer and Tess who are both also graduates of Allentown public schools. Mr. Bernhard led PPL’s Community Affairs as Director from 1996 until October 2014. In that position, he managed corporate citizenship, economic development and local government relations. Prior to joining PPL, Mr. Bernhard served 20 years with the City of Allentown, 16 of those years as Community Development Director during which his responsibilities included managing the City’s beloved parks. He has been active on the Allentown Economic Development Corporation board for the past 43 years and is currently board chair.
He is also past chairman of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation board. He serves on the Boards of Community Services for Children, The Century Promise and is an emeritus member of the Governor’s Early Learning Investment Commission. He was a Trustee of the Century Foundation in Allentown from 2017 until its sunset. He previously served as long time board chair of both the Allentown Public Library and the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Corridor Commission (D&L). Mr. Bernhard has been an active member of the International Economic Development Council where he has obtained the status of Certified Economic Developer.
