Bethlehem, Pa. (Sept. 30, 2024) – Lehigh Valley Public Media, Lehigh Valley’s community- owned nonprofit source for local news, educational programming and community engagement, today announced the appointment of four local leaders to the organization’s board of directors: Dr. Richard A. Bucher, John S. Huemmrich, Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., and Joseph V. Topper, Jr.

“Each of these leaders brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to Lehigh Valley Public Media’s mission to inform, inspire and connect our community through innovative and impactful public media and educational programming,” said Board Chair Michael S. Keim. “Their diverse expertise and deep community ties will be instrumental as the organization strengthens and evolves, ensuring that it is well-positioned to provide high- quality local journalism and educational programs for generations to come.”

Dr. Richard A. Bucher, president and chief executive officer of Victaulic, has led impressive growth in innovation, expanding the company’s patent portfolio to over 4,000 patents worldwide. Under Bucher’s leadership, Victaulic’s research and development team has doubled in size. Additionally, in August 2024, Victaulic was recognized as one of “America’s Safest Companies” by industry magazine EHS Today underscoring Bucher’s commitment to safety and operational excellence.

John S. Huemmrich, retired manager of benefit investments at Air Products and Chemicals, held various financial roles with the company over two decades, playing a key role in shaping its strategic investment and financial operations. Huemmrich’s leadership helped guide the company through periods of growth and change, ensuring sound financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.

Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr. has served as a United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania since 2014. Decades of public and private practice legal experience in the Lehigh Valley has earned Judge Leeson deep respect in the community. He is a former board chair of PBS39.

Joseph V. Topper, Jr., chief executive officer of Dunne Manning, Inc., is a cofounder of City Center Group and is known in the region for his strategic investments and entrepreneurial vision. Topper has played a key role in revitalizing Allentown’s urban landscape. A dedicated supporter of public media, Topper is a former board chair of PBS39 and past president of the Lehigh Valley PBS Foundation.

About Lehigh Valley Public Media

Lehigh Valley Public Media is a community-owned, non-profit public media organization serving Eastern Pennsylvania and Western New Jersey. Headquartered at the Univest Public Media Center on the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem, Pa., Lehigh Valley Public Media is home to PBS39, Lehigh Valley’s public television station; WLVR 91.3 FM, Lehigh Valley’s all-day everyday NPR news station; and LehighValleyNews.com, the region’s only nonprofit and locally operated digital news platform providing free local news and information across more than a dozen editorial beats. The organization also engages over 90,000 children, families and educators annually through its educational programming.

Information provided to TVL by:
Tracey Werner