Community-minded and passionate about parks, people and partnerships
Donald Bernhard | Chair of Governance Committee
Donald Bernhard CEcD, has had two careers of more than 20 years. He first served in the public sector as Allentown’s Community Development Director, a position that included responsibility for parks and recreation. Second, he managed PPL’s community relations and philanthropy including responsibility for PPL nature preserves. Don was a founding board member of the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Corridor Commission and served as board chair for 15 years. He has 50 years of experience in economic development and is chair of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation board. He is currently a Trustee of the Harry C. Trexler Trust. He is a firm believer that quality of life in a community starts with having great parks which is inked to economic development and the ability to attract and keep high quality employees.
Andrew Elliott
Andrew is Director of General Services for Lehigh County. A graduate of Bloomsburg and Capella Universities, he has worked for both Lehigh and Northampton counties managing open space, farmland preservation, parks and recreation, and trail networks. He is a lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley with a deep passion for all types of outdoor recreation with an emphasis on hunting, fishing and conservation.
Mark Focht
Mark A. Focht, PLA, FASLA brings over 35 years of public open space management to the Board. He currently serves as Acting First Deputy Commissioner for NYC Parks. Mark began his career at Parks in 2017 as Deputy Commissioner / Chief Operating Officer. Previously, Mark worked for the City of Philadelphia for 18 years as Executive Director of Fairmount Park and First Deputy Commissioner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.
Mark was born and raised in Allentown; graduating from William Allen HS. He has fond memories of playing in Trexler, Cedar Beach, and Jordan Creek parks, learning at the fish hatchery, and attending concerts in West Park (where his father played in The Allentown Band). Those experiences shaped his career.
I’m thrilled to help the Parknership serve as an important and valuable partner to the City, its citizens, neighborhoods, and businesses, to make Allentown’s amazing park system even better.
Elsbeth Haymon
Elsbeth Glose Haymon has lived in the City of Allentown for over 40 years and has led development and marketing for a number of local non-profit organizations including the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Community Services for Children, Wildlands Conservancy and most recently, the Allentown Art Museum. Now retired, she currently sits on the Board of Trustees of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital and Network, serving on the Executive Committee and chairing the Governance Committee. She is also on the Foundation Board for the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown and the Justin Sheftel Memorial Fund Board of Directors. Her own childhood and family memories as well as those of her son and husband include many happy times in the Allentown park system, connecting with each other and nature.
“I am so happy to be included with this wonderful group of people who are working to make the City of Allentown’s parks more accessible to its residents and providing resources that are important to the people who use the parks every day.”
Rick Kern | Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee
Rick Kern retired in 2022 as a Senior Vice President with Truist after over 40 years in banking. Rick serves on the boards of Lehigh Carbon Community College Foundation (Treasurer and Chair of Finance and Investment Committee) and the Children’s Dyslexia Center of the Lehigh Valley (Treasurer). He has also served on boards at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, Sights for Hope, Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, Minsi Trails Council and State Theatre. He is a daily user of the Allentown parks system, frequently walking in Little Lehigh Parkway and Trexler Park.
“Our park systems are a huge value for all people from a physical and mental health perspective. I am anxious to see what the Parknership and the City of Allentown can do together to enhance these valuable resources.”
Simon Moore | Chair of the Board
Simon Moore retired from Air Products in 2023, last serving as Vice President, Investor Relations, Corporate Relations, and Sustainability after a 34-year career with the Fortune 500 company. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees and Audit & Finance Committee at ArtsQuest and the Budget & Finance Committee of the Town of South Bethany and previously on the Board of Trustees of The Baum School of Art and as Executive Champion of Spectrum, Air Products LGTBQ+ employee resource group.
“The Allentown Parks are a wonderful resource for all the city and local residents, supporting physical activity, social interactions and the positive mental health benefits of time spent in nature.”
Rick Molchany | Chair of the Planning and Facilities Committee
Rick Molchany is the former Director of General Services for Lehigh County, where he was responsible for engineering (both facilities and bridges), planning, emergency services, parks and recreation, land preservation and internal services. Part of his four decades in senior level directorship positions includes being vice president of operations, manufacturing and distribution at The Morning Call. Rick has been a commissioner on the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and past chair of the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study.
“As a lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley, I appreciate the parks, and open space resources that contribute to improving resident quality of life, and is the foundation of why people live, work and start business in our hometown.”
Jesus “Gee” Rendon
Jesus “Gee” Rendon is the Founder and Executive Director of The Champion Center, a nonprofit community center dedicated to serving Allentown’s 1st and 6th wards. The Champion Center is committed to enhancing the mental health and overall well-being of the community through mental health education, support groups, personal development programs, coaching and counseling services, and targeted outreach. He also serves as President of the Board for Children At-Promise Early Learning Center, a nonprofit early childhood center that has been dedicated to serving children for the past 29 years.
A proud native of the 1st ward, Gee has always felt a deep calling to give back to his community. With more than 30 years of leadership, management, and community service experience in both faith-based and nonprofit sectors, Gee brings a strong passion for teamwork and a steadfast commitment to excellence in all he does. His role on the Parks and Recreation Board is especially meaningful, as he grew up playing sports in Allentown’s parks and developing as a leader through those experiences. He is passionate about creating opportunities for today’s children and youth to thrive—just as he did, and even more so.
Janet Roth | Secretary
Janet Roth is Chief Executive Officer of the Harry C. Trexler Trust, where she has worked for over 32 years. Her volunteer board service includes Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, Catholic Foundation of Northeast Pennsylvania, and Allentown Rotary Foundation Board. She has also volunteered with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Impact Council, Lehigh Valley Regional Homelessness Advisory Board, Meals on Wheels, Wildlands Conservancy and Girls on the Run. She is a frequent park user for running, hiking and walking while also valuing the parks for the beauty of natural greenspace and wildlife.
Mandy Tolino
Mandy Tolino is Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Allentown. Her department oversees a broad spectrum of services, including cultural and special events, recreation programming, park maintenance, sustainability initiatives, urban forestry and a municipal golf course. With a focus on equitable access and creating diverse recreational opportunities, Mandy is committed to ensuring Allentown’s parks remain vibrant and inclusive spaces for all. Beyond her professional role, she serves on the boards of the Environmental Advisory Council and a local education association, where she helps award scholarships to graduating seniors. Her passion for Allentown Parks and Recreation, environmental stewardship and community engagement is why she is interested in the Parknership with the goal of enhancing the quality of life in Allentown through meaningful outdoor experiences.
Matt Tuerk
Matt Tuerk has been the Mayor of Allentown since 2022 and has enjoyed Allentown’s beautiful parks since his family moved to the city in 2004. He says that parks and public spaces are central to Allentown’s ability to continue as the beating heart of the Lehigh Valley, so the Parknership will be a major area of focus for him.
Rosanne Venditto
Rosanne Venditto is a lifelong Allentown resident and a retiree of PPL Electric Utilities where she was employed for 39 years and served primarily as a supervisor and training specialist in customer service. She is active in her faith and in her community as a parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, where she serves as organist/choir director, sits on its finance committee, coordinates parish fundraising activities, and is a Eucharistic Minister when needed. She also serves as organist/choir director at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Both churches are located in Allentown. In the community, Rosanne is a volunteer at Mercy School for Special Learning and currently is a member of the planning committee for their annual gala. In addition, she volunteers as an organist at the Phoebe Home. She has served on the Allentown Diocese Commission for Women and volunteered at Mayfair for many years. She actively participates in the Million Clicks walking program.
“Allentown’s parks offer many opportunities — both for youth to develop positive life skills and for adults to walk, exercise and socialize. Volunteering for the Parknership is our opportunity to improve Allentown’s parks for all who enjoy them.”