Two of the Lehigh Valley’s longest serving community leaders were named to this year’s edition of City & State Pennsylvania’s “Fifty Over 50.” 
Don Cunningham, President & CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), and Sal Panto Jr., Mayor of Easton, were among those selected for their achievements.
“Pennsylvania’s thriving political, entrepreneurial and social landscape bears the powerful imprint of its senior leaders – professionals who have devoted decades of their careers to improving everything from medicine to education, finance to social services,” City & State said in introducing the list.
“This year’s 50 Over 50 honorees exemplify the achievements that have pushed the state forward: They’ve built our cities’ skylines, broadened access to college and healthcare and tackled challenges ranging from the environment to post-industrial economies. And they’re not done yet.”
Cunningham has led LVEDC since 2012, playing a key role in the Lehigh Valley’s economic and cultural renaissance as it rebounded from the loss of heavy industry to become a Top 10 U.S. mid-sized market for economic growth.
“Few people are as invested in the well-being of the Lehigh Valley as Don Cunningham – and even fewer have the breadth of perspective he brings to his role as president of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation,” City & State Pennsylvania said.
The accolade comes as the Lehigh Valley’s economy is at new highs in economic output (a Gross Domestic Product of $55.7 billion); employment (more than 341,000 jobs); and median household income (more than $81,000, exceeding the state and nation).
Cunningham previously served in a variety of key public and private positions for three decades in the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania.
As twice-elected Mayor of Bethlehem, he is credited with launching his hometown’s widely lauded transition to a post-industrial economy after the collapse of Bethlehem Steel, where his father and grandfather both worked.
As twice-elected Lehigh County Executive, Cunningham championed economic development. And as the appointed Pennsylvania Secretary of the Department of General Services in Gov. Ed Rendell’s administration, Cunningham oversaw major capital projects across the commonwealth.
Panto has served as Mayor of Easton for 25 years, over seven non-consecutive terms. He was the youngest-ever Mayor when he was first elected in 1983 at 31 and served from 1984 to 1992. He returned to office in 2008 after a stint in the private sector. Panto serves on LVEDC’s Board of Directors.
“The name Sal Panto – formally Salvatore J. Panto Jr. – is essentially synonymous with Easton City Hall,” City & State Pennsylvania said.
“His style is popular. Annual decreases in crime back up Panto’s claim of making Easton a ‘cleaner and safer city.’ The city’s S&P rating is up, and the Mayor’s economic development program has yielded $1 billion in public and private investment, creating hundreds of jobs.”
“I love making residents proud of their city again,” Panto said.
He is a Past President and on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Municipal League. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities and now serves on the Advisory Board. He is a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System Board of Directors.
A former teacher, Panto and his father operated Sal’s Meat Market for 28 years.
City & State Pennsylvania is a print and digital magazine distributed monthly to a statewide audience of decision makers in business, education, and government.