Bethel Park district judge co-authors book on navigating success

In co-authoring a book called “Navigate Your Path to Success,” Bethel Park resident Ron Arnoni writes from experience.

The longtime district judge served his home municipality and Upper St. Clair has a career in public office dating back to when he served on borough council and then as mayor of Brentwood, where he grew up, in his 20s and early 30s.

Concurrently, he worked as general manager of a prominent environmental company before graduating from the Allegheny County Police Academy and taking a job with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, eventually becoming an investigating special agent for the state.

Recognizing his dedication as district judge, the Fraternal Order of Eagles presented him with the Anthony Angelo Municipal Award, named for the late chairman of the Grand Aerie FOE Judiciary Committee.

Each year, Arnoni presents Citizen of the Year awards to residents of Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair. The 2024 ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 4.

On top of his magisterial duties, Arnoni operates Leadership Development LLC, a speaker-based preventive program for youth, with Brad Killmeyer, his co-author. Their work together since 2019 inspired them to embark on “Navigate Your Path to Success.”

“This is something that was always on my so-called bucket list to do, and I’m glad that I was able to accomplish it,” Arnoni said.

Along with drawing from his and Killmeyer’s lives, the book features input from two dozen regional leaders in business and public office, drawn from interviews about their achievements. Among them are:

• Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher and retired team color commentator Steve Blass, who achieved lasting fame by winning the seventh and deciding game of the 1971 World Series.

• Kevin Acklin, President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

• Jim McQuade, president and CEO of Dollar Bank.

• State Sen. Camera Chatham Bartolotta, R-Monongahela.

• Kimberly Slater-Wood, communications manager for the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority.

The book’s foreword is by Bethel Park resident Dick Jewell, former President of Grove City College. On the back cover, former Pennsylvania attorney general and current Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Mike Fisher writes:

“What a remarkable book you have put together with moving examples of leadership from many of Western Pennsylvania’s leading public figures. This very impactful and important project puts together many outstanding examples of leadership which will help readers of all ages Navigate Their Path To Success now and in the future.”

For Arnoni and Killmeyer, bringing “Navigate Your Path to Success” to fruition represents a success story in its own right.

“This is a project we’ve been working on for nearly a year and a half,” the judge said. “It’s quite a complex matter, because not only are you writing the book and all the contents and everything, but also I had a hand in designing the cover. You have to consider all the things between the pages and edits and the formatting.”

A book launch is scheduled for Jan. 15 at PPG Paints Arena. Information about ordering the book will be posted when available at www.ourleadfamily.com.

“It’s definitely an exciting time,” Arnoni said, “and we’re really excited about getting this out to as many people as we can to create the opportunity for them, as well.”