Meet Lower Macungie Commissioner Candidate: Ryan Conrad

Lower Macungie Commissioner’s Race

Candidate: Ryan T. Conrad

Age: 33

Family:  Married with three young children (ages 4, 2, and 10 months)

Political party affiliation: Republican

Tell us about your educational background: 

I have a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in Criminal Justice from East Stroudsburg University.

Tell us about your professional/business background:

I am currently Vice President of the Board of Commissioners and chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee.  Professionally, I am the Chief Executive Officer of a regional trade association where I manage a multi-million dollar budget and oversee the business operations of organization.  My detailed biography is available on my website at www.ConradForCommissioner.com under the “About” section. 

Why are you running for Lower Macungie Commissioner?

I’m seeking re-election to a second term after being elected in 2009 and running for three primary reasons. 

First, I’ve been working hard to get results for our taxpayers, our community, and our families.  I want to continue being a part of making a difference for them.  

Second, I’m proud of my record of protecting taxpayers by adopting responsible budgets, improving our financial position while maintaining a zero percent property tax, paying down debt, elevating the discussion on Smart Growth, and standing up for the safety of our families. 

Third, Lower Macungie is on the right track.  We are a vibrant, well-educated, growing, and desirable community, but there is more to be done and we need principled, compassionate and responsible leaders which are qualities I believe I bring to the table.

What qualifies you to serve on the township board?

After being elected as the highest vote-getter in 2009, I was nominated to serve as the Vice President of the Board - a position which I still hold today.  The experience of serving as an elected Commissioner gives me the advantage of understanding what it takes to lead responsibly, respect taxpayers by being fiscally responsible with managing our budget, and considering all sides of an issue before making decisions.

I also bring business experience from my current capacity as Chief Executive Officer of a regional trade association where I am responsible for managing a multi-million dollar budget.  As CEO, I also manage staff and implement business strategies to ensure the organization is operating efficiently and effectively.  Additionally, I bring many years of experience working with government officials at the local, state, and federal levels having been a government relations professional and legislative staffer.

What do you see as the board's primary role and responsibilities?

The primary role of the Board is to responsible fiscal stewards of our resident’s taxpayer dollars and to put the needs of our residents first in all the decisions we make. 

Tell us about three major challenges facing Lower Macungie and how you would address them. (Please be as specific as possible):

First, the Board should continue building on our record of sound financial management and showing great respect for taxpayer dollars.  During my tenure on the Budget and Finance Committee, our financial position improved substantially.  For example, we paid down $2 million in existing debt, refinanced a bond to save $235,000, recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars from delinquent sewer accounts, improved our bond rating, and adopted a fund balance policy that pays down debt and invests in future infrastructure needs, all while maintaining a zero percent property tax rate.

Second, the Board should plan for the eventual incremental implementation of several proactive studies we have undertaken in the past several years.  They include the Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan, Greenways Trail Plan, Hamilton Boulevard Corridor Study, Smart Growth Implementation plan and others.

Third, we should focus on undertaking a review of the Southwestern Lehigh County Comprehensive Plan with our plan partners in neighboring municipalities.  A lot has changed in this region of Lehigh County since it was originally adopted in 2004. 

How much are you spending to run? How is your campaign being funded?

As of this writing, I remain the only candidate to proactively post my Campaign Finance Reports online for maximum transparency.  Readers are encouraged to review them on my website at www.ConradForCommissioner.com.  Additionally, I personally authored a Campaign Finance Transparency Policy requiring Commissioner’s finance reports to be posted on the Lower Macungie website.

What, if any, endorsements have you received?

I am honored to be endorsed by Congressman Charlie Dent, State Representatives Ryan Mackenzie, Gary Day, and Justin Simmons, State Senator Bob Mensch, and Lehigh County Republican Committee Chair Wayne Woodman along with many other community leaders.

Do you use social media? If so, please provide links to your Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FriendsOfRyanConrad

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ElectRyanConrad

Website: www.ConradForCommissioner.com