Geoff Brace 2011 Pennsylvania Faculty Member   Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania

Geoff Brace is a Community Development specialist.  His work includes efforts in Pennsylvania’s downtowns, Main Streets and neighborhoods ranging in size from the city of Philadelphia to the borough of Susquehanna Depot.  Geoff is currently the Executive Director of the Kutztown Community Partnership.  Prior to joining KCP, Geoff worked for the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC), the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the West Chester Business Improvement District.  In 2004, Geoff worked for Rep. Robert Freeman when the state’s Elm Street legislation was enacted and implemented. 

In addition to the technical components of managing a 501c3 organization, Geoff chairs PDC’s legislative committee and has testified before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate on matters related to blighted communities, state budgets and casino development.  He also directed PDC’s successful 2009 advocacy efforts to restore funding for New Community programs. 

 In his own community Geoff has served on the boards of the Old Allentown Preservation Association, St. Johns UCC in Laurys Station, The Cares Center for Christ and Phi Kappa Sigma International Fraternity.  In 2008, he was appointed to the Allentown Zoning Hearing Board and was tapped by city council to review city housing policies.  Currently he serves on the Board for Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ.

Geoff is a Center for Progressive Leadership Political Leaders Fellow Alumnus (2007), completed the Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s Main Street Institute and Elm Street Academy and the Pennsylvania Real Estate Academy.  Geoff holds a Masters from Lehigh University in Political Science (Public Policy) and a Bachelors Degree from Ursinus College (Politics). 

Geoff lives in Center City Allentown with his fiancé Sara.  They own a historic fixer-upper.

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