Lehighton Borough Manager Dane DeWire was named “Borough Manager of the Year” by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce last week.

The 2026 Mayors’ and Municipal Officials’ Reception at Delta Hotels by Marriot Allentown Lehigh Valley, recognizes community leaders for their leadership with awards by the GLVCC.

“Dane has been an incredibly collaborative partner with the Chamber and our regional initiatives,” said Kylie Adams-Weiss, senior vice president of the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation. “His openness to partnership and willingness to engage has helped strengthen not only borough operations, but also broader community efforts, including support for initiatives such as the Carbon County Community Festival in Lehighton. His leadership continues to reflect a strong commitment to regional collaboration and community growth.”

DeWire was selected for his steady and results-driven leadership during a pivotal period for the borough. Since stepping into leadership, DeWire has helped restore confidence in borough operations through disciplined management, improved internal systems, and a clear focus on long-term sustainability.

Under his leadership, the borough has maintained balanced budgets without placing additional burden on taxpayers, while also advancing revitalization efforts through targeted investment and strategic planning. His approach has supported both immediate operational needs and broader community goals, strengthening the foundation for future growth in Lehighton.

With a clear focus on the future and strong command of present-day priorities, DeWire continues to guide the borough with discipline, transparency, and a commitment to lasting community strength.

The award was presented by state Rep. Doyle Heffley.

Surprise honor

DeWire said he was pleasantly surprised.

“I didn’t have any idea I was being considered for the award and I got down there, and the (Lehighton Borough) Assistant Manager (Brooke Lichtenwalter) said the (borough) council was there,” DeWire said. “I was very surprised, and I started to put things together.”

About 20 minutes later, DeWire learned he was named the recipient.

“It meant a great deal to me; it felt great to be recognized,” he said. “The last three years what I learned is it’s a pretty thankless job; you’re never going to make everyone happy.

“I try my best not to take anything personally, however it was great to hear that it wasn’t an internal nomination,” said DeWire, who added that from his understanding, the chamber of commerce as a third party made their selection. “It made me proud that somebody outside of Lehighton is noticing the positive changes that we are having and implementing for our residents.”

DeWire credited the other 40 full-time employees for their help.

DeWire added, “It’s so easy to get lost in the day-to-day operations of the borough, and it’s very easy to forget that there are 2,500 other municipalities just like you just trying to make a better place for its residents to live.

Trying to keep costs low

He said his goal is keep Lehighton’s taxes and their utility rates as low as possible while still being fiscally responsible.

DeWire said he was grateful to Lehighton Mayor Ryan Saunders, along with borough council President Dave Zimmerman, and council members Becky Worthy, Dave Arndt and Steve Hawk, as well as Lichtenwalter, for attending.

DeWire said initially that he never saw himself entering a role in municipal government, and that it just so happened that the Lehighton borough manager position became available while he was looking to leave his last job which was in the engineering world.

“I always remove myself from the situation, try to see what is going to benefit the most amount of people,” he said. “Nine times out of 10, someone’s not going to be happy with what you do; that doesn’t mean the decision you made was not the correct one.”

DeWire added, “To see that somebody outside of the four walls that I work in are recognizing that, it was validation, and showing me that I am making a positive impact. The validation reminded me of why we’re all doing this.

“My goal is to make sure the residents are getting the most for their dollar, and continue to make Lehighton a place they want to live, visit, retire,” he said. “It’s far from a sleepy town, and it takes consistent management to make sure that it stays on the right path.”

The annual Mayors’ & Municipal Officials’ Reception honors officials representing Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, and Northampton Counties in Pennsylvania, as well as Warren County, New Jersey. Each year, the Borough Manager, Township Manager, and Mayor of the Year awards recognize people who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and made lasting contributions to their communities, with nominees submitted by residents and community members.