Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong was elected Feb. 8 to the National Association of Regional Councils Board of Directors.

The National Association of Regional Councils serves as the national voice for regions by advocating for regional cooperation as the most effective way to address a variety of community planning and development opportunities and issues.

Armstrong now represents all the councils of governments, development agencies, regional and metropolitan planning organizations in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware. Armstrong will represent the Northeastern United States during the National Conference of Regions to be held virtually from Washington, D.C. Along with Armstrong, Connecticut Senator Steve Cassano, Mayor of Berkeley CA, Jesse Arreguin, and Tulsa County (OK) Commissioner Karen Keith were among the cross governmental leaders elected to the board of directors.

This is the first time that any Lehigh Valley elected official has represented the cross governmental needs of the over 27 million people living in comprising the northeastern United States.

“This is a tremendous time for the Lehigh Valley, especially because our success is focused, coordinated and planned across counties. The National Association of Regional Councils reinforces our region’s and the Northeast’s voice in shaping federal policy,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong, who is in his first term as Lehigh County Executive, has announced that he is running for a second term.