Center for Excellence in Local Government - Albright College
Source: https://www.albright.edu/about/center-for-excellence-in-local-government
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:14
Center for Excellence in Local Government - Albright College
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Center for Excellence in Local Government
The Center for Excellence in Local Government (CELG) is a unique partnership among academic, public and corporate sectors in the community. Since its founding in 1994, CELG has welcomed over 8,000 attendees to its programs. Its mission is to maintain and enhance the quality of life in Berks County by assisting municipal leaders in meeting the changing needs of their communities.
Newly Elected or Appointed Officials Training Registration
Spring Municipal Officials Breakfast 2026
Register Here
We are delighted to once again invite you to attend our Municipal Government Officials Breakfast taking place on
Wednesday, April 29th 2026, at 8:00am
at:
Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown
3433 Hay Creek Road Birdsboro, PA 19508
The Berks Municipal Partnership, the Center for Excellence in Local Government/Albright College and the Berks County Commissioners are excited to host this unique and valuable opportunity and hope you can join us. This year’s Spring event is being sponsored by Equitable Advisors.
During the event, attendees will enjoy a delicious breakfast, followed by brief remarks from and Q&A with the Berks County Commissioners, Christian Leinbach, Michael Rivera and Dante Santoni, Jr. along with updates and valuable information from Equitable Advisors. This event promises to be an opportunity for networking and discussion.
Registration is required, please RSVP (register) no later than April 8th. We kindly ask that you limit the number of attendees from each Municipality to only two (2).
Center for Excellence in Local Government
C/O Albright College
P.O. Box 15234
Roessner Hall
Reading, PA 19612-5234
Office Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 610-929-6503
aweist@albright.edu
Cindy Conrad
Secretary for the Center for Excellence in Local Government
Jeanne Johnston
Director of Center of Excellence in Local Government
Andrea Weist
Administrative Coordinator for the CELG
Community Advisory Board (CAB)
Master Planner / Advanced Master Planner Certification
Berks County Cooperative and Purchasing Council
Intergovernmental Cooperative Initiatives
Sponsorship Levels
Tools and Resources
Berks County Representative
Mr. Michael Rivera, Commissioner, County of Berks
633 Court Street
Reading, PA 19601
Authority Representative
Mr. Leonard Bilger, II, Community Advisory Board
Chairman, Berks County Water and Sewer Association, Executive Director, Western Berks Water Authority
91 Water Road
Sinking Spring, PA 19608
Judicial Representative
The Honorable Judge James M. Lillis
Berks County Court of Common Pleas
633 Court Street
Reading, PA 19601
City of Reading Representative
The Honorable Mayor Eddie Moran
Mayor, City of Reading
815 Washington Street
Reading, PA 19601
Borough Representative
Vacant
First Class Township Representative
Mr. Michael Malinowski
Chair of the Board of Commissioners, Muhlenberg Township, Premier Sponsor, EHD
210 George Street
Reading, PA 19605
Second Class Township Representative
Jeff Fiant
Brecknock Township
889 Alleghenyville Road
Mohnton, PA 19540
Berks County Cooperative Purchasing Council (BCCPC)
Hunter Ahrens
Mt. Penn Borough
200 N. 25
th
Street
Reading, PA 19606
Past Chairpersons
Kevin Barnhardt
633 Court Street, 13
th
floor
Reading, PA 19601
Mr. Terrence Naugle
Great Valley Consultants
75 Commerce Drive,
Wyomissing, PA 19610
Chairman, CELG Berks Municipal Partnership
Mr. Frederick C. Levering
2213 Quarry Drive
West Lawn, PA 19609
CELG Premier Sponsors
Mr. Glenn Kraft, President
Kraft Code Services,
34 East Lancaster Avenue
Shillington, PA 19607
Mr. Brian Kelly, President
Spotts Stevens McCoy
1047 North Park Road
Reading, PA 19610
Mr. Daniel P. Becker, Esq.
Managing Partner, Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys
2640 Westview Drive
Wyomissing, PA 19610
Mr. Christopher J. Hartman, Esq.
Hartman, Valeriano, Magovern & Lutz
1100 Berkshire Boulevard, Suite 301
P.O. Box 5823
Wyomissing, PA 19610
Mr. Bill Murray
Reading Area Water Authority (RAWA)
1801 Kutztown Road
Reading, PA 19604
Mike Malinowski, EHD (Info. listed above)
Chip Bilger (Info listed above)
Marisela Fuster
Regional External Affairs Manager, Met-Ed, Potomac Edison
2800 Pottsville Pike
Reading, PA 19612
Ed Stock
Stock Alfieri, LLC
50 N. 5
th
Street – 4
th
Floor
Reading, PA 19601
Government Representative
Ms. Pamela Shupp, AICP, CEcD,
Director of Community and Economic Development, County of Berks
633 Court Street
Reading, PA
Albright Representatives
Ms. Debra Townsley, President, Albright College
Michael Armato, Associate Professor of Political Science
DiMornai Blackwell, Controller, Albright College
Master Planner Certification
The center holds three courses in cooperation with the Berks County Planning Commission, Berks County Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Education Institute for elected officials, appointed planning and zoning officials and other individuals interested in the following topics:
Zoning Basics
Subdivision and Land Development Review
Community Planning
Individuals completing all three courses (27 hours) receive their Master Planner Certification from the Center for Excellence in Local Government and the Berks County Planning Commission.
130+ individuals from a variety of municipal and development backgrounds have now been certified since the program began in 2000.
Advanced Master Planner Certification
Individuals completing their MP certification are eligible to pursue Advance Master Planner Certification in accordance the following guidelines.
Purpose and participants:
Goal:
To assist Master Planners (and other officials) enhance their core knowledge and understanding of planning principles, techniques, and best practices they can apply to promote and sustain smart growth communities.
Target audience:
The program is designed initially for officials who have completed the Master Planner program; other officials who have sufficient knowledge of a given topic may participate in the educational activities but will not receive credit for their work
Expectations:
Officials must complete fifteen (15) units of training in at least two core workshops plus additional training activities to fulfill the AMPP requirements
Each land use training program offered by the center will be assigned a specific number of units based on the length of the activity (e.g. a dinner program will be worth one unit; an evening workshop will be worth 2-3 units; and the PA Land Use Institute will be worth 3-5 units)
To receive credit, officials will be expected to attend the educational activity and complete the pre-session assignments (on-line or hard copy), where applicable
Content:
Core areas (a minimum of five units required):
Officials must complete the required activity for at least two of the following three core areas of training (each activity will be worth two to three units)
community planning
land use regulation
design
Optional training (in addition to the core activities)
These activities will include on-going, regularly scheduled programs offered by the center (e.g. PA Land Use Institute) as well as special initiatives designed to address contemporary topics/issues and best planning practices, site tours, and smart growth efforts.
Officials also may choose to undertake an independent case study of a specific issue or development in their community; the topic will be pre-approved and the official will present his/her final report to the center’s Local Government Advisory Council; a maximum of three units will be received following the completion of the study.
A maximum of three units may be earned through participation in a land use training program(s) offered by another organization.
Format:
Activities will be offered in various formats, such as classes/workshops; on-line; tours; dinners, and independent study primarily during evening hours, with some daytime or weekend sessions
Berks County Cooperative Purchasing Council
is an unincorporated association of public entities organized and existing under the applicable provisions of P.L. 526 of April 29, 1937 (53 P.S. section 5431 et seq.), as amended, and Act 57 of May 15, 1998, as amended, (Title 62 Pa C.S. 1902) known as the Commonwealth Procurement Code for the purpose of joint purchases of materials, equipment, supplies, services, and/or construction.
Membership List available upon request from CELG Office Administrator, Andrea Weist at
aweist@albright.edu
By-Laws
Operating Procedures
Resolution to Join
Resolution to Appoint a Member
Berks County Cooperative Purchasing Council
is an unincorporated association of public entities organized and existing under the applicable provisions of P.L. 526 of April 29, 1937 (53 P.S. section 5431 et seq.), as amended, and Act 57 of May 15, 1998, as amended, (Title 62 Pa C.S. 1902) known as the Commonwealth Procurement Code for the purpose of joint purchases of materials, equipment, supplies, services, and/or construction. Membership List available upon request from CELG Office Administrator, Andrea Weist at
aweist@albright.edu
Berks Municipal Partnership
was established by the CELG as a forum for discussing common issues that can be addressed on a regional level or county-wide basis, obtaining local officials’ comments on proposed cooperative initiatives; providing a focal point for communication between regions of the county and county government; fostering pilot projects on a regional level; and linking regions to resources.
Governor Mifflin Area Coordinating Council
was established by the center and the participating public entities to foster on-going communication among the five municipalities (three boroughs and two townships) and the school district on issues of common interest.
County of Berks – Berks County Planning
Corporate Sponsorship Benefits
ENTRY LEVEL
$300 Promotion at all CELG programs Members-only registration rates for all CELG programs
Entry to Annual Master Planner Award & Sponsor Recognition Open House
Company logo on the CELG website
BRONZE SUPPORT LEVEL
$1,000 Includes all Entry Level benefits, PLUS:
Two invitations to the Municipal Officials Dinner
25-word corporate advertisement on the CELG website
SILVER SUPPORT LEVEL
$2,000* Includes all Entry Level and Bronze Level benefits, PLUS:
Event sponsorship at the Municipal Officials Dinner
Four invitations to the Municipal Officials Dinner
50-word corporate advertisement and home page link on CELG website
Mention at our annual golf tournament save-the-date card
GOLD SUPPORT LEVEL
$3,000* Includes all Entry Level, Bronze Level and Silver Level benefits, PLUS:
Annual golf tournament hole sponsorship and program mention
One foursome at the CELG/BCW&SA golf tournament
Mention on the Municipal Officials Dinner program
One vendor table and one attendee at the BCW&SA annual conference
PREMIER SUPPORT LEVEL
$5,000* Includes all of the above PLUS:
Four invitations to the Municipal Officials Dinner; two seats at a head table
One vendor table and one attendee at the BCW&SA annual conference
*Silver, Gold and Premier Level sponsors may divert part of their commitment to the Berks County Water & Sewer Association for annual membership.
Municipal Sponsorship Opportunities
CELG accepts municipal contributions at many levels.
Sustaining Contributors
($5,000+)
Benefactors
($2,500 -$4,999)
Patrons
($1,000 - $2,499), Donors ($500 - $999)
Supporters
($200$499), and Friends ($100 - $199)
The Berks County Commissioners match every dollar contributed from the CELG member municipalities.
General Information
Pennsylvania Municipalities League
Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB)
Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors
Berks County Planning Commission (BCP)
Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA)
Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Berks County Industrial Development Authority
Berks County Workforce Development Board
Berks County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Greater Berks Development Fund
Smart Growth Alliance of Berks County
BCTV
Skip To Main Content
Center for Excellence in Local Government
The Center for Excellence in Local Government (CELG) is a unique partnership among academic, public and corporate sectors in the community. Since its founding in 1994, CELG has welcomed over 8,000 attendees to its programs. Its mission is to maintain and enhance the quality of life in Berks County by assisting municipal leaders in meeting the changing needs of their communities.
Newly Elected or Appointed Officials Training Registration
Spring Municipal Officials Breakfast 2026
Register Here
We are delighted to once again invite you to attend our Municipal Government Officials Breakfast taking place on
Wednesday, April 29th 2026, at 8:00am
at:
Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown
3433 Hay Creek Road Birdsboro, PA 19508
The Berks Municipal Partnership, the Center for Excellence in Local Government/Albright College and the Berks County Commissioners are excited to host this unique and valuable opportunity and hope you can join us. This year’s Spring event is being sponsored by Equitable Advisors.
During the event, attendees will enjoy a delicious breakfast, followed by brief remarks from and Q&A with the Berks County Commissioners, Christian Leinbach, Michael Rivera and Dante Santoni, Jr. along with updates and valuable information from Equitable Advisors. This event promises to be an opportunity for networking and discussion.
Registration is required, please RSVP (register) no later than April 8th. We kindly ask that you limit the number of attendees from each Municipality to only two (2).
Center for Excellence in Local Government
C/O Albright College
P.O. Box 15234
Roessner Hall
Reading, PA 19612-5234
Office Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 610-929-6503
aweist@albright.edu
Cindy Conrad
Secretary for the Center for Excellence in Local Government
Jeanne Johnston
Director of Center of Excellence in Local Government
Andrea Weist
Administrative Coordinator for the CELG
Community Advisory Board (CAB)
Master Planner / Advanced Master Planner Certification
Berks County Cooperative and Purchasing Council
Intergovernmental Cooperative Initiatives
Sponsorship Levels
Tools and Resources
Berks County Representative
Mr. Michael Rivera, Commissioner, County of Berks
633 Court Street
Reading, PA 19601
Authority Representative
Mr. Leonard Bilger, II, Community Advisory Board
Chairman, Berks County Water and Sewer Association, Executive Director, Western Berks Water Authority
91 Water Road
Sinking Spring, PA 19608
Judicial Representative
The Honorable Judge James M. Lillis
Berks County Court of Common Pleas
633 Court Street
Reading, PA 19601
City of Reading Representative
The Honorable Mayor Eddie Moran
Mayor, City of Reading
815 Washington Street
Reading, PA 19601
Borough Representative
Vacant
First Class Township Representative
Mr. Michael Malinowski
Chair of the Board of Commissioners, Muhlenberg Township, Premier Sponsor, EHD
210 George Street
Reading, PA 19605
Second Class Township Representative
Jeff Fiant
Brecknock Township
889 Alleghenyville Road
Mohnton, PA 19540
Berks County Cooperative Purchasing Council (BCCPC)
Hunter Ahrens
Mt. Penn Borough
200 N. 25
th
Street
Reading, PA 19606
Past Chairpersons
Kevin Barnhardt
633 Court Street, 13
th
floor
Reading, PA 19601
Mr. Terrence Naugle
Great Valley Consultants
75 Commerce Drive,
Wyomissing, PA 19610
Chairman, CELG Berks Municipal Partnership
Mr. Frederick C. Levering
2213 Quarry Drive
West Lawn, PA 19609
CELG Premier Sponsors
Mr. Glenn Kraft, President
Kraft Code Services,
34 East Lancaster Avenue
Shillington, PA 19607
Mr. Brian Kelly, President
Spotts Stevens McCoy
1047 North Park Road
Reading, PA 19610
Mr. Daniel P. Becker, Esq.
Managing Partner, Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys
2640 Westview Drive
Wyomissing, PA 19610
Mr. Christopher J. Hartman, Esq.
Hartman, Valeriano, Magovern & Lutz
1100 Berkshire Boulevard, Suite 301
P.O. Box 5823
Wyomissing, PA 19610
Mr. Bill Murray
Reading Area Water Authority (RAWA)
1801 Kutztown Road
Reading, PA 19604
Mike Malinowski, EHD (Info. listed above)
Chip Bilger (Info listed above)
Marisela Fuster
Regional External Affairs Manager, Met-Ed, Potomac Edison
2800 Pottsville Pike
Reading, PA 19612
Ed Stock
Stock Alfieri, LLC
50 N. 5
th
Street – 4
th
Floor
Reading, PA 19601
Government Representative
Ms. Pamela Shupp, AICP, CEcD,
Director of Community and Economic Development, County of Berks
633 Court Street
Reading, PA
Albright Representatives
Ms. Debra Townsley, President, Albright College
Michael Armato, Associate Professor of Political Science
DiMornai Blackwell, Controller, Albright College
Master Planner Certification
The center holds three courses in cooperation with the Berks County Planning Commission, Berks County Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Education Institute for elected officials, appointed planning and zoning officials and other individuals interested in the following topics:
Zoning Basics
Subdivision and Land Development Review
Community Planning
Individuals completing all three courses (27 hours) receive their Master Planner Certification from the Center for Excellence in Local Government and the Berks County Planning Commission.
130+ individuals from a variety of municipal and development backgrounds have now been certified since the program began in 2000.
Advanced Master Planner Certification
Individuals completing their MP certification are eligible to pursue Advance Master Planner Certification in accordance the following guidelines.
Purpose and participants:
Goal:
To assist Master Planners (and other officials) enhance their core knowledge and understanding of planning principles, techniques, and best practices they can apply to promote and sustain smart growth communities.
Target audience:
The program is designed initially for officials who have completed the Master Planner program; other officials who have sufficient knowledge of a given topic may participate in the educational activities but will not receive credit for their work
Expectations:
Officials must complete fifteen (15) units of training in at least two core workshops plus additional training activities to fulfill the AMPP requirements
Each land use training program offered by the center will be assigned a specific number of units based on the length of the activity (e.g. a dinner program will be worth one unit; an evening workshop will be worth 2-3 units; and the PA Land Use Institute will be worth 3-5 units)
To receive credit, officials will be expected to attend the educational activity and complete the pre-session assignments (on-line or hard copy), where applicable
Content:
Core areas (a minimum of five units required):
Officials must complete the required activity for at least two of the following three core areas of training (each activity will be worth two to three units)
community planning
land use regulation
design
Optional training (in addition to the core activities)
These activities will include on-going, regularly scheduled programs offered by the center (e.g. PA Land Use Institute) as well as special initiatives designed to address contemporary topics/issues and best planning practices, site tours, and smart growth efforts.
Officials also may choose to undertake an independent case study of a specific issue or development in their community; the topic will be pre-approved and the official will present his/her final report to the center’s Local Government Advisory Council; a maximum of three units will be received following the completion of the study.
A maximum of three units may be earned through participation in a land use training program(s) offered by another organization.
Format:
Activities will be offered in various formats, such as classes/workshops; on-line; tours; dinners, and independent study primarily during evening hours, with some daytime or weekend sessions
Berks County Cooperative Purchasing Council
is an unincorporated association of public entities organized and existing under the applicable provisions of P.L. 526 of April 29, 1937 (53 P.S. section 5431 et seq.), as amended, and Act 57 of May 15, 1998, as amended, (Title 62 Pa C.S. 1902) known as the Commonwealth Procurement Code for the purpose of joint purchases of materials, equipment, supplies, services, and/or construction.
Membership List available upon request from CELG Office Administrator, Andrea Weist at
aweist@albright.edu
By-Laws
Operating Procedures
Resolution to Join
Resolution to Appoint a Member
Berks County Cooperative Purchasing Council
is an unincorporated association of public entities organized and existing under the applicable provisions of P.L. 526 of April 29, 1937 (53 P.S. section 5431 et seq.), as amended, and Act 57 of May 15, 1998, as amended, (Title 62 Pa C.S. 1902) known as the Commonwealth Procurement Code for the purpose of joint purchases of materials, equipment, supplies, services, and/or construction. Membership List available upon request from CELG Office Administrator, Andrea Weist at
aweist@albright.edu
Berks Municipal Partnership
was established by the CELG as a forum for discussing common issues that can be addressed on a regional level or county-wide basis, obtaining local officials’ comments on proposed cooperative initiatives; providing a focal point for communication between regions of the county and county government; fostering pilot projects on a regional level; and linking regions to resources.
Governor Mifflin Area Coordinating Council
was established by the center and the participating public entities to foster on-going communication among the five municipalities (three boroughs and two townships) and the school district on issues of common interest.
County of Berks – Berks County Planning
Corporate Sponsorship Benefits
ENTRY LEVEL
$300 Promotion at all CELG programs Members-only registration rates for all CELG programs
Entry to Annual Master Planner Award & Sponsor Recognition Open House
Company logo on the CELG website
BRONZE SUPPORT LEVEL
$1,000 Includes all Entry Level benefits, PLUS:
Two invitations to the Municipal Officials Dinner
25-word corporate advertisement on the CELG website
SILVER SUPPORT LEVEL
$2,000* Includes all Entry Level and Bronze Level benefits, PLUS:
Event sponsorship at the Municipal Officials Dinner
Four invitations to the Municipal Officials Dinner
50-word corporate advertisement and home page link on CELG website
Mention at our annual golf tournament save-the-date card
GOLD SUPPORT LEVEL
$3,000* Includes all Entry Level, Bronze Level and Silver Level benefits, PLUS:
Annual golf tournament hole sponsorship and program mention
One foursome at the CELG/BCW&SA golf tournament
Mention on the Municipal Officials Dinner program
One vendor table and one attendee at the BCW&SA annual conference
PREMIER SUPPORT LEVEL
$5,000* Includes all of the above PLUS:
Four invitations to the Municipal Officials Dinner; two seats at a head table
One vendor table and one attendee at the BCW&SA annual conference
*Silver, Gold and Premier Level sponsors may divert part of their commitment to the Berks County Water & Sewer Association for annual membership.
Municipal Sponsorship Opportunities
CELG accepts municipal contributions at many levels.
Sustaining Contributors
($5,000+)
Benefactors
($2,500 -$4,999)
Patrons
($1,000 - $2,499), Donors ($500 - $999)
Supporters
($200$499), and Friends ($100 - $199)
The Berks County Commissioners match every dollar contributed from the CELG member municipalities.
General Information
Pennsylvania Municipalities League
Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB)
Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors
Berks County Planning Commission (BCP)
Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA)
Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Berks County Industrial Development Authority
Berks County Workforce Development Board
Berks County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Greater Berks Development Fund
Smart Growth Alliance of Berks County
BCTV