Phoenixville mayor honored on Senate floor
HARRISBURG >> Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler was recently honored on the floor of the Pennsylvania Senate by state Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19th Dist.
Earlier this year, Urscheler was named one of 10 Outstanding Young Americans by Junior Chamber International (JCI), a non-profit international non-governmental organization of young people between 18 and 40 years old. Urscheler was selected from an intense and competitive judging process of nearly 60 applicants.
The annual award seeks to recognize the accomplishments of 10 young people who are truly outstanding in the areas of business or entrepreneurial accomplishment, political achievement, humanitarian, or voluntary leadership. Previous award recipients have included Arthur Ashe, President Bill Clinton, President John F. Kennedy, Vice President Dick Cheney, Wayne Newton, Elvis Presley, and Ruth Riley.
“It’s a pleasure to recognize Mayor Peter Urscheler for his outstanding contributions to the Phoenixville community and it’s an honor to call him a friend,” Dinniman said. “One of the things that makes Phoenixville so special and so successful is the outstanding young leaders, like Peter, who have stepped forward and answered the call of public service. He has done an incredible job of managing the borough’s revitalization while ensuring that it remains a community that is open, safe, and welcoming for all.”
Urscheler, a first-generation American, grew up in Florida before coming to Phoenixville. He quickly fell in love with the community and became deeply involved with a number of nonprofit organizations and causes. He was President of the Phoenixville
Chapter of the Jaycees from 2014-2017, before serving as President of the Pennsylvania Jaycees organization for two consecutive terms.
Urscheler was elected Phoenixville Mayor in 2017 and sworn in January 2018.
He oversees a 31-person police force that serves over 17,500 residents. As mayor, Urscheler has taken on several important initiatives, including affordable housing, increased services for senior citizens, public transportation, reducing the educational attainment gap for economically disadvantaged families, total equality protections, and environmental sustainability.
In addition to his duties as Mayor, Urscheler serves on the Board of Directors for the HOBY PA East Youth Leadership Conference, Phoenixville Area Senior Center and Schuylkill River Heritage Center. He is also a recognized champion of the United Nations Foundation, Nothing But Net’s Campaign.
He lives in Historic Downtown Phoenixville with his two dogs Ian and Ina.