Paul Leonard, Upper Dublin's Township Manager For More Than 25 Years, Retires From Post

UPPER DUBLIN, PA — One of the longer-serving municipal managers in eastern Montgomery County, and one whose career in this township spanned just over a quarter-century, has retired from his position.

Paul Leonard, Upper Dublin Township Manager for the past 26 years, retired effective Jan. 3, the township announced this week.

Leonard, 66, also a local volunteer firefighter with extensive emergency management knowhow, worked in local government for close to four decades.

"It has been an honor to serve Upper Dublin Township and the citizens of this great community," Leonard said in a statement. "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 came to Upper Dublin Township in 1996 after working in municipal management in North Miami Beach, Florida; Perkasie, Bucks County, Pa.; Haverford Township, Delaware County, Pa.; and Lordstown Village, Ohio.

Leonard, who also volunteers with the Fort Washington Fire Company, led Upper Dublin through many projects and ventures, such as the construction of two flood control structures; the automation of trash and recycling collection; and the construction of various municipal infrastructure, such as a new township and police building, a new firehouse, four bridges, a salt and brine storage structure, two dog parks, and the conversion of a municipal golf course to a public park.

He was also integral in the relocation of the Upper Dublin public library, and the administration of a 600-plus-acre open space preservation program, which the township says added more than 170 acres of protected land throughout the municipality for public betterment.

"The Upper Dublin community has benefited greatly from the experience and leadership Paul has provided during his tenure as Township Manager," Upper Dublin Board of Commissioners President Ira Tackel said in a statement. "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 and will be missed."

Most recently, Leonard led Upper Dublin through the emergency response to, and ongoing recovery of, an EF2 tornado that ravaged the community early last September when Hurricane Ida came through southeastern Pennsylvania causing extensive damage to numerous communities.

Upper Dublin was one of the hardest hit areas, with the tornado ripping off the roof to the municipal and police complex and forcing the relocation of township staff and police personnel.

In addition to his role as township manager, Leonard has served in various other positions, including 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, according to the township.

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

The Ambler Gazette recently ran, and the Reporter of Lansdale recently reprinted, an in-depth piece looking at Leonard's long career here in Montgomery County.

That entire article, in which numerous local officials were interviewed, can be found here.