Mayor of the Year

Frank Porco
Mayor of the Borough of Forest Hills

Mayor Frank Porco is a lifelong resident of the Borough of Forest Hills in Allegheny County and has served the borough since 1998 when he was the youngest elected member of Council in its history, a position he held until 2014.  Frank’s term as Mayor began in 2018, overseeing an 11-officer police department, improving its operations by introducing the purchase of hybrid police vehicles to the public safety fleet, fully adopting the use of police body cameras, thereby making Forest Hills one of the first in Allegheny County to do so, and working with the Police Chief to update all police policies and procedures. 

Mayor Porco's tenure has been marked by much more than improving the Forest Hills Police Department.  In his role as the public face of the borough, Mayor Porco has instituted community activities to increase quality of life and civic pride.  These activities and events include leading the borough's Centennial celebration in 2019 that included opening a time capsule from the 50th anniversary, a parade, fireworks and other events, creating and coordinating the annual winter holiday season "Light up the Hills" event that features dance and choral performances, tree lighting and refreshments, instituting summer events that include concerts in the park series featuring a variety of local bands and musical groups, and outdoor movie nights.  Every year he leads a community-wide Memorial Day event.  When the COVID-19 pandemic reduced opportunities to spend time together, Mayor Porco created and led the Christmas Festival of Lights Car Caravan Tour to allow residents to safely enjoy holiday decorations throughout the borough. 

During his term as Mayor, Forest Hills Borough has received several awards including the American City & County Crown Community Recognition (2019) for its construction of a net- zero energy municipal building, a Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence (2020) and from 2020-2022 has been named an Allegheny County Banner Community.

In his spare time, Mayor Porco has served his church as a member and president of its Pastoral Council, choir member, and parish festival volunteer and Chair since 2018.  He has served the children of his community as a youth soccer coach and association board member and was a "constant presence" with the Stingrays Swim Team devoting countless hours over the span of more than a decade to the team and its families.  When the Stingrays won their first-in-50-years Eastern Swim Association Division 1 Championship in 2024, Mayor Porco organized a borough-wide celebration including a parade, proclamations from State Representative Abigail Salisbury and Congressman Chris Deluzio, and local TV news coverage.

These many accomplishments inadequately represent the kind of man Mayor Porco brings to his leadership.  It is his personal relationship with his community and its people that truly set him apart.  He has "an unshakable belief in making life better for others."  Mayor Porco "is so much more than a community leader.  He is a mentor, a visionary and a quiet force behind countless acts of growth and service across Forest Hills."  "Mayor Frank Porco embodies everything public service should be – humble, generous, and deeply rooted in the community."   "He has helped build Forest Hils into a place people are proud to call home."

Congratulations Forest Hills Borough Mayor Frank Porco!