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Biography

A lifelong resident of Bethlehem, J. William Reynolds graduated Magna Cum Laude from Moravian College in 2003. In 2007, William became the youngest City Council member in Bethlehem’s history as he was elected on a vision of redeveloping and revitalizing Bethlehem in the aftermath of the closing of Bethlehem Steel.
 
As President of City Council, William launched Bethlehem 2017 – a set of policy initiatives aimed at making Bethlehem a more innovative and progressive community.  The centerpiece of Bethlehem 2017 included the creation of Bethlehem’s award winning Climate Action Plan which was completed in 2020.

Bethlehem broke new ground in governmental transparency by adopting William’s Financial Accountability Incentive Reporting (F.A.I.R.) – an initiative that measures and tracks the effectiveness of economic development incentive programs. During William’s time on City Council, Bethlehem has also continued its economic revitalization as billions of dollars of private and public investment have helped to lead the city to its consistent ranking as one of the best American cities in which to live, work, and retire.

2021 saw William capture nearly 65 percent of the vote while sweeping all 37 city wards in becoming Bethlehem’s 14th Mayor.  In his Mayor Reynolds’ first year, his Administration has focused on initiatives related to housing affordability, sustainability, pandemic recovery, and economic development throughout Bethlehem. 

Mayor Reynolds has also served on Moravian University’s Board of Trustees and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s Transition Team.  He resides in north Bethlehem with his wife Dr. Natalie Bieber.

Mayor Reynolds can be reached by email here.