Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

Patty Elkis is recognized for her remarkable 32-year career at Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentorship, and innovation in the planning field. Patty’s commitment to fostering collaboration across public, private, and nonprofit sectors has significantly enhanced regional planning efforts, particularly in open space preservation, water quality, and clean energy.

Her dedication to mentoring emerging leaders and staff at DVRPC has been instrumental in the success of numerous initiatives, including the Food Systems, Regional Trails Planning, and Healthy Communities programs. Montgomery County Planning Commission’s. Executive Director, Scott France recalls, “…whether you were just starting out in the field or were a prominent stakeholder or board member for a planning organization, Patty would always make the effort to make sure you understood the importance and reasoning for the work she did,” reflecting her commitment to mentorship and service to the profession of planning.

Patty’s ability to build and nurture relationships has led to the creation of impactful projects, such as the Regional Open Space Priorities Report and the “Return on the Environment” reports, which have had enduring benefits for the region. Her innovative approach is evident in her work on the “Water Table” and the “Funding Navigator,” both of which have provided crucial support for water infrastructure in underserved communities. As Scott France emphasizes, “Patty has also cultivated many relationships at the municipal level where so much of planning work actually comes to fruition.”

Bringing together stakeholders wasn’t always an easy task, but Patty regularly rose to the challenge. When faced with a proposal to distribute additional TMA funds, Chester County’s Multimodal Transportation Planning Division Director, Brian Styche notes, “Patty exhibited patience, allowed for all viewpoints to be expressed, and ultimately facilitated a solution agreeable to most,” highlighting her skill in navigating complex planning issues.

Patty’s leadership in launching and sustaining initiatives like the Schuylkill Action Network, the NJ Municipal Environmental Service Planning Program, and the Municipal Actions to Protect Water Quality in the Delaware River Watershed further underscores her profound impact on regional planning and environmental stewardship. Her legacy is one of service, excellence, and a lasting contribution to the planning profession.

What the Committee had to say:

It’s not only what Patty Elkis accomplished during her career that has helped to create her legacy, but the many accounts of how she did it – by establishing relationships, effectively communicating, building consensus, and mentoring emerging professionals, that will secure her legacy in planning for years to come. It is how Patty accomplished this work that makes her a standout choice for the Distinguished Service Award.