City of Lower Merion PA : Board VP McElhaney Resigns To Take on Asst. Dir. of Public Works Role

After a long, seven-month search that began in July 2017 and involved two posting and advertising processes, Paul A. McElhaney has been selected to fill the vacant position of Assistant Director of Public Works. He resigned his office as Lower Merion Township Commissioner effective Monday, January 22, 2018. He will begin his duties as Assistant Director of Public Works by mid-February 2018.

Paul McElhaney has served Lower Merion Township with distinction as Commissioner representing the 3rd Ward for 10 years, including service as both President and Vice President of the Board of Commissioners. As such, he has extensive knowledge of Township services, budgeting procedures, facilities, policies, and of the Township as a community. Equally important, he has vast construction and infrastructure knowledge stemming from more than 30 years of experience in the private sector as a Construction Manager, Director of Operations, and Project Manager, for several large construction firms.

His extensive experience includes project management of building construction, utility and energy retrofits, commercial roofing and sewer/infrastructure installation. These supervisory roles with private sector construction firms have also involved personnel management for substantial workforces. Paul McElhaney is a lifelong resident of the Belmont Hills section of Lower Merion Township.

Public Works Director Don Cannon noted it has been a difficult process to find someone who has the construction knowledge, personality, project management skills, and personnel management experience that are required. 'I look forward to having Paul's extensive knowledge and experience helping to guide our full-service Public Works operation,' Cannon said.

Township Manager Ernie McNeely stated, 'It is unusual to have a Commissioner be considered for a Township position, however, an individual who has devoted basically volunteer service to the community in an elected position should not be excluded from consideration for a Township position when they are eminently qualified.

'This Assistant Director position is purely a staff hiring decision and is not considered by the Board of Commissioners,' McNeely continued. 'It is a staff duty to make sure to hire the most qualified candidate for any position that serves the Township. I am confident the Public Works Director's decision to hire Paul McElhaney as Assistant Director will produce outstanding results and further enhance the high quality and responsive services for our Lower Merion residents.'

Mr. McElhaney's successor as Ward 3 Commissioner will be appointed by the Board of Commissioners at a later date.