In a press release, Upper Dublin Township announced today that Township Manager Paul Leonard has retired from his position as of Monday, January 3, 2022. He has served in the position since 1996.

From the press release:

Paul Leonard’s career in municipal government spans 37 years, 26 of which have been in Upper Dublin Township. “It has been an honor to serve Upper Dublin Township and the citizens of this great community,” Mr. Leonard said. “I thank the Board of Commissioners and the staff I was fortunate to work with for the support given to me throughout my career in Upper Dublin. It has been a privilege to assist in delivering quality services, forward-thinking, and engaging the Township in impactful partnerships, all of which have fostered success and enriched our community.”

Leonard has served as Township Manager in Upper Dublin Township since 1996. Prior to that, he held positions in North Miami Beach, Florida; Perkasie, Pennsylvania; Haverford Township, Pennsylvania; and Lordstown Village, Ohio.

“The Upper Dublin community has benefited greatly from the experience and leadership Paul has provided during his tenure as Township Manager,” said Upper Dublin Township Board of Commissioners President Ira Tackel. “He has been a true leader and we appreciate where he has taken the Township in regards to service, infrastructure, innovation, and management. He has provided an exceptional level of service to the residents of Upper Dublin Township well and will be missed. The Board of Commissioners wish him well as he embarks on the next chapter in his life.”

Paul Leonard led the Township through many projects for the benefit of the community. Namely, the construction of two flood control structures; the automation of trash and recycling collection; municipal infrastructure construction (a new Township/Police building, a new fire house, four bridges, a salt and brine storage structure, two dog parks, two turf fields, five miles of bike paths, and the conversion of a municipal golf course to a public park); a library relocation and renovation; major communication and technology upgrades; and the administration of a 600+-acre open space preservation program, which added more than 170 acres of protected land in locations throughout Upper Dublin Township. Most recently, Mr. Leonard led the emergency response, clean up, and rebuilding plan for an EF2 tornado and hurricane that significantly impacted Upper Dublin Township in September 2021. 

Along with serving as Township Manager, Paul Leonard has also held the position of Municipal Secretary, Emergency Management Coordinator, Executive Director of the Upper Dublin Township Municipal Authority, Trustee of the Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, President of the Montgomery County Consortium, Co-Chair of the Wissahickon Creek Municipalities EPA Compliance Study and Negotiation, and Board Member of the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association.

Mr. Leonard has been recognized and awarded many times throughout his career:

– Gold Award, for the design of the Fort Washington Fire Station, Fire Chief Magazine Awards, 2013.
– Golden Eagle Award, Eastern Montgomery County Emergency Management Group, 2012.
– First Responder of the Year, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, 2011.
– Journal recognitions for waste reduction: EPA Journal, World Waste, PA Legislature, Biocycle, Resource Recycling, J Policy Analysis & Management, J Environmental Econ, 1988-1996.
– Governor’s Waste Minimization Award, Perkasie Waste Management, 1994.
– Public Administration Review, The Bureaucratic Entrepreneur: The Case of City Managers, July 1994.
– Governor Tom Ridge Award for Excellence, Emergency Management Under Adversity, Perkasie Disaster Recovery, 1989.

“Many of my goals in public service in Upper Dublin Township have been fulfilled. I appreciate all that I have learned, all who I have worked with, and all that we have accomplished over the last 26 years,” said Leonard. “I look forward to the next phase and wish the Upper Dublin community well.” 

On the agenda for the January 3rd meeting of the Upper Dublin Township Board of Commissioners is the consideration of a motion to appoint an interim township manager. The board plans to consider a permanent replacement at a later date.

Photo: Upper Dublin Township