The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors on Monday night approved the hiring of a seasoned municipal leader with a background in crisis management as the new township manager.
Eden Ratliff is serving as deputy city manager for Charlottesville, Virginia. He is set to begin his new position in Middletown Township on July 9.
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Ratliff will earn an annual salary of $215,000, Middletown Township Public Information Officer Liz Martin said.
“Eden Ratliff most recently served as the Deputy City Manager for the city of Charlottesville in Virginia,” said Board Chairman Mike Ksiazek. “Prior to that, Mr. Ratliff was the township manager for Kennett Township down in Chester County, where he led a crisis management effort and investigation following the discovery of $3.2 million in fraud committed by the former township manager.”
When he left Kennett Township, officials there praised his efforts and praised his “leadership, strategic visioning, determination, and trustworthiness.”
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Ratliff’s background includes serving as manager for two other Pennsylvania municipalities, Greencastle Borough and Ford City. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s in Employment and Labor Relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is currently pursuing a master’s in public management from Johns Hopkins University.
“I really am honored to be here. I’m so excited to partner with the board of supervisors, with township, the staff, and the residents of Middletown Township,” Ratliff told the supervisors after his hiring. “This is a great honor. It’s an incredible community. There’s lots of amazing things happening here.”
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The search for a new manager involved all five supervisors and township department heads, with the assistance of an outside consultant.
Ksiazek described the process as “thorough and very competitive” and noted the high level of interest and impressive field of qualified candidates.
“The Board of Supervisors is pleased to have hired Eden to lead the organization while continuing to enjoy the trajectory of sound fiscal management and to secure the health, safety, and welfare of the township’s citizens. We are fortunate to have found someone with Ratliff’s caliber where he brings a resident-focused, can-do attitude to municipal management,” said Ksiazek.
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In his pitch to township officials, Ratliff said his “approach blends creative problem-solving with a deep understanding of municipal operations, from open space and trails to police, fire, and EMS services. I believe that effective leadership means more than managing—it’s about driving strategic initiatives that build stronger, more connected communities.”
Ratliff, a Chester County native, expressed excitement about returning to Pennsylvania.
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“My family’s super excited for my return to Pennsylvania after being in Virginia, and I couldn’t be landing in a better spot,” he said.
Ratliff acknowledged his predecessor, Stephanie Teoli Kuhls, who retired last month after a long tenure.
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“Stephanie is actually a friend of mine, and I’m humbled to be stepping into her shoes, but also a little intimidated because of her long success as a manager,” Ratliff said.
Ratliff also praised the township staff and Assistant Township Manager Nick Valla, who has been serving as interim township manager since Teoli Kuhls’ retirement.
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“To Nick, being an interim manager is really hard. You’re doing a great job. It’s not easy kind of keeping it together, but you’re certainly making it look easy,” Ratliff said.
Ksiazek commended Valla for his leadership during the transition period.
“Nick Valla, our assistant manager, has stepped into the role of interim township manager since Mrs. Teoli Kuhls has retired and he has done really an admirable and capable job,” Ksiazek said. “We have not missed a beat, business has moved forward and we really have remarkably not felt Mrs. Teoli Kuhls’ absence during the period of time when Mr. Valla has been leading the township.”
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
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“Thank you, Nick, for all your hard work and pulling us through,” said Supervisor Dawn Quirple.
Supervisor Amy Strouse added, “This has been, as Mike said, just an absolutely seamless transition and just can’t thank you enough for being here and supporting the work of the township for the last couple of months.”
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Ratliff will work with Valla during the transition, with Valla remaining in his current role.
“I’m looking forward to getting started. Thank you very much and we’ll see everyone very soon,” he said.
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