Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association

08/31/2026

New Podcast Episode - Built on Trust: The Engineer - Authority Relationship

In this episode, we visit Brodhead Creek Regional Authority in the Poconos to talk with Mike McCarey, P.E., Vice President of Carroll Engineering Corporation and Dave Horton, P.E., Authority Manager of Brodhead Creek Regional Authority about the teamwork, communication and trust that help turn plans into reliable infrastructure.

They discuss:
• What an authority engineer really does
• Why early communication and collaboration matter
• How operators and authority staff help shape better projects
• How authorities evaluate and prioritize aging infrastructure
• The replacement of a 122-year-old water main
• How long-term planning supports reliable service, fire protection and public safety

It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into maintaining the water and wastewater systems communities depend on every day.

Listen now:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/authorities-on-air/id1828478407
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76ZYMAIe4vRb4LPAd06zeu
Stream Online: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520489

08/20/2026

PMAA Recognized as Empowering Women Award Recipient by Central Pennsylvania Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business

Central Penn Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business have named the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA) as a recipient of an Empowering Women Award. Empowering Women Awards shine a light on companies and organizations that have demonstrated tangible efforts and documented results in supporting and empowering women in Central and Eastern Pennsylvania. The honorees were selected by the leadership team of the Central Penn Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business.

Across PMAA, women hold 57% of staff positions, 60% of leadership-level roles and 50% of board and executive leadership seats. Attendance at the WIN (Women Innovation Networking) event launched in 2018 has grown nearly 140% in 2026. Women chair seven of the association’s 13 standing committees and hold seven of the 11 state advisory committee designee positions. And the association’s 2025 and 2026 presidents are both women, marking the first executive female presidencies in PMAA’s 80-year history.

“We are incredibly proud to accept this recognition on behalf of PMAA and the women who continue to strengthen our association and our industry,” said PMAA President Melissa Radovanic. “This award reflects our progress and reinforces our responsibility to keep opening doors, developing leaders, and creating pathways for the next generation of women leaders.”

“Women bring tremendous expertise, perspective and leadership to the municipal authority sector, and PMAA is committed to making sure those contributions are recognized and supported,” Radovanic said. “We are grateful to Central Penn Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business for recognizing this work and motivated to keep building an industry where women can thrive and lead.”

The Empowering Women recipients were celebrated August 18 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading and in a special publication inserted into the August 28 issue of Central Penn Business Journal and into the August 24 issue of Lehigh Valley Business, also available online at CPBJ.com and LVB.com.

08/18/2026

Two new episodes of Authorities on Air are out now!

As we get ready for this year’s PMAA Annual Conference, we’re taking you back to Bethlehem for two episodes recorded live during our 2025 Conference:

• Welcome Reception – Hear directly from members about what brings them back to the PMAA Conference year after year.
• Awards Banquet: Red Carpet – Join us before one of the Conference’s biggest nights as members share stories, memories and what makes the PMAA community special.

These special episodes were recorded during the 2025 PMAA Annual Conference in Bethlehem, PA. We hope you enjoy them, and we’ll see you in Erie this year!

Listen now:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/authorities-on-air/id1828478407
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76ZYMAIe4vRb4LPAd06zeu
Stream Online: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520489

08/11/2026

New Podcast Episode - Two Seats at the Same Table: How Authorities and Solicitors Work Together
Featuring Sharon Purnell, Hamilton Township Municipal Authority & Melissa Kelso, Kelso Law

A strong relationship between a municipal authority and its solicitor can play an important role in helping an authority make informed decisions, manage risk, and navigate challenging situations.

In this episode, Sharon Purnell, Manager of Hamilton Township Municipal Authority, and Melissa Kelso of Kelso Law, join us for a conversation about how that relationship works in practice.

They discuss:
• Why involving your solicitor early can make a difference
• The importance of trust, communication, and collaboration
• How solicitors help authority boards understand their options and make informed decisions
• Working through complex projects and challenging situations
• Common misconceptions about the solicitor’s role
• What authorities should consider when selecting legal counsel

It’s a practical conversation about why an authority solicitor should be viewed not as a roadblock, but as an important part of the team helping an authority successfully serve its community.

Listen now:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/authorities-on-air/id1828478407
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76ZYMAIe4vRb4LPAd06zeu
Stream Online: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520489

08/10/2026

Great conversations and networking at the Region 7 meeting in Emporium, PA last week including a special presentation on AI and AuthoritiesConnect from PMAA's Craig Fahnestock! Thank you to hosts - Director Dana Rooney and Assistant Director Dwight H***e and to sponsors The Garland Company, Inc., Gwin Dobson & Foreman, Inc. and LB Water.

07/31/2026

We can't wait to see you in Erie! Registrations still being accepted for our premier event: www.municipalauthorities.org/conference/

07/27/2026

The viral sensation "Kyle Kilroy - Sewer Singer" will be joining us for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2026 PMAA Annual Conference and Trade Show. You won't want to miss this! Check him out on Tiktok (kilroyyy_7), Facebook Reels (Kyle Kilroy-Sewer Singer) and Instagram (Kyle Kilroy sewer_singer).

Waste management company employee Kyle Kilroy, known as the "sewer singer" on TikTok, shares his love of singing on social media.

07/27/2026

Last week, PMAA recognized another recipient of The Authorities 2026 Future Leaders Scholarship - Kensington Edmond. Kensington is pursuing a degree in environmental engineering from Wilkes University with particular interest in the water and wastewater industries. She has been actively involved as an intern at Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) and with the Society of Women Engineers. Congratulations Kensington!