(From a press release)
Josh Maxwell, chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, has been elected Chairman of the Board of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Greater Philadelphia region’s federally-designated metropolitan planning organization.
Maxwell, 40, was elected as DVRPC Board Chair to serve for fiscal year 2025, and in this role, will oversee an 18-member board that represents the nine-county Greater Philadelphia region. In addition to defining the duties of the Office of the DVRPC Executive Director and DVRPC committees, the Board establishes regional transportation policies, and determines transportation priorities and the allocation of transportation funds to meet those priorities.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Commissioner Maxwell, and I look forward to his leadership as we work together to realize our vision for a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable region,” said DVRPC Executive Director Ariella Maron. “As DVRPC Board Chair, Commissioner Maxwell will continue to foster cross-county and bi-state collaboration to address the myriad transportation, environmental, and economic challenges facing us and move our region forward.”
“It’s my firm commitment to ensure that Southeast PA, Pennsylvania’s economic driver, receives its fair share of transportation funding,” said Maxwell. “Equally important is our responsibility to spend this funding in the most efficient way possible.
“I am honored to be elected as DVRPC Chair for the coming year and look forward to working with staff and fellow board members to advance transportation projects and attract Federal funds for public transportation projects that are crucial to our region,” he added.
Tim Philps, Executive Director of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) said, “The Board of Directors of TMACC are excited that Commissioner Maxwell has been elected Chair of DVRPC. He brings to this role a broad perspective of public policy knowledge, especially in health and human services. As we address the multimodal needs of residents, nonprofit service organizations and employers, we are able to have deeper conversations about the needs of people to improve the quality of life.
“Josh has been a staunch supporter of access to public transportation and trails, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and well-informed land-use planning, while recognizing the need for highway improvement to support regional economic growth,” added Phelps. “His leadership and vision as a TMACC board member have been invaluable to us, and we look forward to his continued impact in our region as chair of DVRPC,” he said.
The DVRPC was formed in 1965 to provide comprehensive, coordinated planning for the orderly growth and development of, initially, southeastern Pennsylvania and, later, southern New Jersey. The region includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer counties in New Jersey. An interstate, intercounty and intercity agency, DVRPC is an advisory agency focusing on regional policy and capital funding issues for transportation, economic development, and environment and land use.
