Bob Donchez is a retired educator who taught American Government for thirty-five years at William Allen High School in the Allentown School District. Presently Bob is the Mayor for the City of Bethlehem.
Bob currently serves on the boards of the Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, Lehigh Valley Partnership, and is an honorary board member of the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley.
In addition, Bob served on the Mayor’s Task Force on Community Policing, Bethlehem Area Public Library Board, City of Bethlehem Zoning Board, City of Bethlehem Recreation Commission, Northampton County’s Election Commission and Northampton County’s Drug and Alcohol Commission. He has also served as Chairman of Council’s Public Safety, Finance, and Community and Economic Development Committees, the South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center Board, Bethlehem/Murska Sobota Sister City Association Board, City of Bethlehem’s Recreation Commission and the Tourism Authority Board.
Bob is a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and is a member of the Church Finance Committee. He is the son of the late Irene Mayer Donchez and the late City Detective John J. Donchez. He is married to Jayne A. Miller Donchez and is the father of two children, Robert and Kristen.
RESUME
Robert J. Donchez
377 Devonshire Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18017
610-865-7100
RDonchez@bethlehem-pa.gov
Occupation:
- Mayor – (2014-Present)
- Chief of Staff to Rep. Daniel T. McNeill (2012-2013)
- Chief of Staff to Rep. Joseph F. Brennan (2007-2012)
- Teacher – Allentown School District, Social Studies (1972-2007)
Education:
- Liberty High School, Class of 1968
- Northampton Community College 1968-1970
- Kutztown State University, Class of 1972, Bachelor of Science Degree
- Comprehensive Social Studies, Political Science
- Graduate Courses – Kutztown State University, Wilkes University & DeSales
- College, Masters Degree Equivalent – 1991.
Church Affiliation:
- Member of St. Anne’s R.C. Church
- Member – St Anne’s Finance Committee – 1989
- Co-Chairman of St. Anne’s 60th Jubilee Committee – 1989
Community Activities:
- Member – Executive Board-Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation (2014-Present) (1998-2002)
- Member of Board – Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (2014-Present) (1998-2002)
- Member of Board – Lehigh Valley Industrial Park (2014-Present)
- Member of Board – Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (2014-Present)
- Member- Board- Lehigh Valley Partnership ( 2014- Present)
- Member – Bethlehem City Council (1996-2013)
- Member – President of Bethlehem City Council (2008-2012) (1998-2002)
- Member – Board of Directors-Hispanic Center of Lehigh Valley (2012-2013)
- Member- Honorary Member of Board (2016- Present)
- Member – Board of Directors-Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (2011-2014)
- Member of Board – Bethlehem Area Public Library (2004-2008) (1993-2000)
- Member of Board – South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center (2004-2006) (1990-1999)
- Member of Board – Bethlehem Tourism Authority (1991-1996)
- Member of Northampton County Drug & Alcohol Commission (1990-1995)
- Member of City of Bethlehem Recreation Commission (1990-1993)
- Member of City of Bethlehem Zoning Board (1983-1988)
- Member of Northampton County Election Board (1983-1988)
- Member of Board – Bethlehem Housing Authority (1978-1982)
- Associate Member of Fraternal Order of Police Star Lodge #20
- Member – Grover Cleveland Democratic Association
- Member – Jefferson Democratic Club
- Member – Good Fellows
- Member – Regular Fellows
Awards
- 2005 – Allentown Education Association – Teacher of the Year (William Allen)
- 2001 – U.S. Presidential Scholars Program-Teacher Recognition Award (from the U.S. Department of Education)
- 2002, 2000, 1994, 1990 – Named to Who’s Who among America’s Teachers
- 2000 –Named to International Who’s Who of Public Service
- 1995 – Susquehanna University’s Russell Galt Award for Teaching Excellence
- 1977 – Named to Outstanding Young Men in America – (Award for Service in the Fields of Education, Community Service and Politics
Council Activities:
- Member – Bethlehem City Council (1996-2014)
- President of Bethlehem City Council (2008-2012 (1998-2002)
- Member of Public Safety Committee – Chairman (2012-2014) (2002-2008) (1996-1998)
- Member of Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Community Policing (2006-2007)
- Member of Mayor’s Task Force on Community Policing (2005)
- Member of Finance Committee (2012-2014) (2002-2005)
- (Chairman 2004-2005) (1996-1998)
- Member of Public Works Committee (2012-2014) (2006-2008)
- Member of Parks & Public Property (2002-2006)
- Member of Community Development Committee (Chairman 1996-1998)
Professional Associations:
- Pennsylvania State Education Association (Retired Member)
Family History:
- Lifelong resident of Bethlehem, PA
- Born 3/27/50 – Bethlehem, PA
- Married to the former Jayne A. Miller
- Father of two children – Robert and Kristen
- Son of the late City Detective, John J. Donchez and Irene Donchez