Paul A. McElhaney oversees Region II as part of his Regional Director role with APWA. This includes the following chapters: Central Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, New York Metro, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania. He also serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee.
McElhaney brings over 35 years of experience in the construction industry to the role and has planned and managed infrastructure projects, collaborated with engineers, and engaged with public entities. He served 10 years as a Township Commissioner, where he worked with the public works director and township engineer on all infrastructure and CIP projects. In his time on the Board of Commissioners, he served as vice president and then president in seven out of the 10 years. In that role, he was responsible for working and communicating with the public and elected officials. Since 2018 he has served as the Director of Public Works for Lower Merion Township, one of the largest public works departments in Pennsylvania.
He served on the Board of the APWA Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter for six years, including as the 2024 Chapter Delegate. As Region II Director, McElhaney has worked with APWA chapters across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York to advance legislative recognition of public works professionals as first responders. His efforts have included supporting Pennsylvania legislation to extend line-of-duty death benefits to qualifying public works employees, working with the Delaware Chapter on its Public Works First Responders campaign, and supporting a joint effort by the New York and New York Metro Chapters to pursue formal first-responder recognition and related benefits, training, and resources at the state level. He has also promoted public works as a career by building relationships with local trade schools and highlighting opportunities within the profession.