Longtime Township Manager Leaves Middletown

Stephanie Teoli Kuhls with the street sign bearing her name. Credit: Middletown Township

Outgoing Middletown Township Manager Stephanie Teoli Kuhls received a standing ovation at her final Board of Supervisors meeting last Monday evening.

The meeting concluded 13 years of service to Middletown Township, the 18th largest municipality in the state.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Teoli Kuhls said to residents and township employees. “That was beyond anything I could ever expect. I will carry a piece of Middletown in my heart with me.”

Supervisors Chairperson Mike Ksiazek presented the outgoing manager with a street sign bearing her name – “Teoli Kuhls Way” – along with a commemorative plaque and flowers during the recognition ceremony.

“I’m not sure everyone truly appreciates what really goes into the job of township manager,” Ksiazek said. “You have to be an expert in so many different areas. If you think just for a second, everything that goes into this job – you have to oversee a large police department, fire and emergency services, public works, finance, IT, park, and recreation.”

Staff from state and federal officials presented citations honoring her service.

A representative from Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s office presented Teoli Kuhls with an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol building in recognition of her 13 years as township manager.

“Your distinguished career in governing exemplifies your commitment and dedication to serving others,” the staffer for the congressman said. “Your legacy will be a guiding light to our current and future leaders in government.”

Several current and former municipal managers from across the region attended to celebrate their colleague, with many describing Teoli Kuhls as a mentor who shaped their careers.

Rick Mellor, executive director of the Delaware Valley Trusts, which provides insurance to municipalities, noted Teoli Kuhls served on the Delaware Valley Workers Comp Trust Board for 17 years, most recently as chair.

“When I was a young 22-year-old starting in this industry, there wasn’t a lot of people that look like me in local government,” Mellor said. “Stephanie was one of those people that took me under her wing, like many people here that she mentored through the years.”

Sandra Zadell, the manager for Upper Gwynedd Township, described herself as “probably Stephanie’s proudest mentee.”

“In every moment, Steph has led me by example, showing me what it means to care about the community and the people you serve,” Zadell said. “She spent hours helping me prepare for job interviews, coaching me through all my firsts as a township manager.”

Debbie Lamanna, who previously was the township’s parks and recreation director and interim township manager, said she knew Teoli Kuhls was right for the job when she first met her.

Teoli Kuhls’ father attended the meeting and looked on proudly at his daughter.

“I’m Steph’s dad. I just want to say I’m proud,” Teoli Kuhls said.

Teoli Kuhls answers a student’s question about government in 2016.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

With the role of a township manager being a time-consuming job, Teoli Kuhls’ husband and sons received recognition during the ceremony.

The supervisors shared personal reflections on Teoli Kuhls’ impact on their development as elected officials.

“I honestly, without question, consider Stephanie a mentor,” Ksiazek said. “She, more than anybody else I’ve ever known, really taught me the inner workings of local government.”

Supervisor Amy Strouse pointed to Teoli Kuhls’ role as a female leader in local government.

“As a younger woman trying to find my way, Stephanie was a mentor in so many ways,” Strouse said. “You certainly taught me a great deal about being an elected official, but certainly about being a woman in a male-dominated field, which you had to walk that walk well before I did.”

Teoli Kuhls thanked her family for their support and the community for the opportunity to serve.

Teoli Kuhls credited her mother with instilling in her “the basic golden rule – do unto others as you would have done unto you” and her father for “passing down his badass management skills, his people skills.”

The Middletown Township Municipal Complex Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

“I want to express my deepest gratitude for the opportunity to serve this remarkable community,” Teoli Kuhls added. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to work alongside our elected officials, our dedicated team of employees, of professionals, and again, the elected officials, the residents, always putting the community first.”

Teoli Kuhls was hired by Middletown Township in 2012 and came from the manager role in Upper Makefield Township. Previously, Teoli Kuhls served as manager of Hatfield Township, Montgomery County. She also has taught public administration courses at Villanova University.

After the recognition, the supervisors unanimously voted to appoint Assistant Township Manager Nicholas Valla as interim township manager.

“Thank you for your faith and trust in me,” Valla said. “I look forward to working with you in this new role for this next season.”

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