By DOUGLAS GRAVES

Special to The Press

Lehigh County Commissioners have appointed Jessica Marie O’Donnell to the county General Purposes Authority.

The Nov. 23 meeting was a hybrid, both in-person and online.

O’Donnell‘s term will expire Dec. 31, 2026.

The Lehigh County General Purpose Authority provides a tax-exempt financing option for certified nonprofit organizations.

The organization in under the authority of the county’s Department of Community and Economic Development.

The DCED “focuses on enhancing the quality of life of our communities by concentrating on the revitalization of our cities and boroughs, spurring economic growth, and supporting regional partnerships among our municipalities,” according to the Lehigh County website.

O’Donnell is the executive vice president of Affiliated Chambers of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chambers of Commerce.

Her duties there are to work with East Penn, Bath, Northern Lehigh, Hellertown-Lower Saucon, Nazareth, Northampton, southern and western Lehigh County, the Whitehall Area Chambers of Commerce and the Emmaus Main Street Partners.

Her responsibilities also include the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation and the Pocono Chamber of Commerce.

Originally from Palmerton, O’Donnell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in speech language pathology from East Stroudsburg University and pursued a Master’s degree from Cedar Crest College.

Commissioners appointed Deidra Vachier to the Children and Youth Services Advisory Council and approved a new job position of “community liaison” employee.

This individual will report to the head of the Department of Community and Economic Development headed by Frank Kane.

A college degree and fluency in both English and Spanish is required.

The job includes staffing the new Human Relations Advisory Council and providing staff support for the eventual Human Relations Commission which will be created in 2022.

The office will serve as the ombudsman to the community to advocate for the needs of residents as they interact with Lehigh County and municipal governments.