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  • Gov.-Elect and Lieutenant Gov.-Elect Transition Advisory Committees Announced

    Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro & Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis Announce Diverse, Experienced Transition Advisory Committees

    Originally published: December 2, 2022
    Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro & Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis Announce Diverse, Experienced Transition Advisory Committees – Shapiro For Governor (shapirodavis.org)

    The Advisory Committees are made up of policy and professional experts, community advocates, and business, industry, and labor leaders from across the Commonwealth

    HARRISBURG, PA – Today, Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis announced the members of seven Transition Advisory Committees, which will advise the incoming Administration and prepare to advance Governor-Elect Shapiro’s top priorities: growing our economy, making our communities safer, and ensuring all Pennsylvania students receive a high-quality education.

    Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis have assembled a diverse and experienced team of Pennsylvania leaders and policy experts to advise their transition on a wide array of different policy areas to help move the Commonwealth forward. From public safety to economic development, the Transition Advisory Committees will play a key role in ensuring the Administration is ready to tackle these priorities.

    “Pennsylvanians gave us a mandate to bring people together and get things done – and this diverse, experienced group of leaders and policy experts from every region across the Commonwealth will advise our Transition on the most pressing issues and priorities we face,” said Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro. “It was a privilege to spend the last 14 months traveling across Pennsylvania, listening to and learning from our neighbors. Wherever I went, Pennsylvanians wanted the same thing: an economy that works for everyone, good schools and a quality education for their children, and safe communities for their families – and these Advisory Committees will play a key role assisting the Shapiro-Davis Administration get to work on day one to turn that vision into a reality. ”

    See below for more information on Shapiro-Davis Transition Advisory Committees:

    Economic Development

    Chair: Matt Smith, President, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce

    The Advisory Committee for Economic Development will be Chaired by Matt Smith, President, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. The Advisory Committee for Economic Development – made up of economic development policy experts, business and labor leaders, and rural stakeholders – will play a critical role in advising the Shapiro-Davis transition on how to create an economy that works for everyone. The committee will review current policies and make recommendations about how to spur innovation, grow the economy, reduce taxes, cut burdensome regulations, embrace Pennsylvania’s role as an energy leader, support Pennsylvania’s rural communities, and create new opportunities for businesses and workers across the Commonwealth.

    Environment/Energy

    Chair: MeeCee Baker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Versant Strategies

    The Advisory Committee for Environment and Energy will be chaired by MeeCee Baker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Versant Strategies. The Advisory Committee for Environment and Energy will be made up of environmental experts, labor leaders who represent workers in the energy industry, and policy experts and will advise the transition on how to carry out Shapiro’s vision to create a bold, comprehensive climate and energy plan that will grow Pennsylvania’s economy, protect and create jobs, address climate change, and protect Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to clean air and pure water.

    Public Safety

    Chair: Patrick J. Murphy, former Under Secretary of the Army

    The Advisory Committee for Public Safety will be chaired by Patrick Murphy, former Under Secretary of the Army. The co-chairs of this committee – including current and former Pennsylvania law enforcement officials, emergency management experts, and community safety advocates – will advise the transition on steps the Shapiro-Davis Administration should take to invest in law enforcement and make our communities safer, ensure the Commonwealth is ready for a wide range of emergency situations, and improve the criminal justice system to address historic inequities, restore trust, and make our communities safer.

    Education/Workforce

    Chair: Patrick Gallagher, Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh

    The Advisory Committee for Education and Workforce will be chaired by Pat Gallagher, Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh, and will be comprised of teachers, former school administrators, and education policy experts. Josh Shapiro believes that every child in Pennsylvania – regardless of race, class, or zip code – deserves access to a quality education and the opportunity to shape their own future, and this committee will advise the transition on how to carry out Governor-Elect Shapiro’s vision to ensure every student has access to the “thorough and efficient” education. The committee will work to develop recommendations to prioritize mental health, invest in vocational, technical, and computer training throughout our education system, ensure our teachers have the resources they need, and give parents a real voice in their children’s education.

    Health and Human Services

    Chair: Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Senior Pastor at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church

    The Advisory Committee for Health and Human Services will be chaired by Dr. Alyn Waller, Senior Pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. The committee will be made up of Pennsylvania doctors and nurses, healthcare experts, and public health advocates to advise the Shapiro-Davis Transition on how to ensure every Pennsylvanian, no matter where they live, has equitable, affordable access to medical care in their community. The committee will compile recommendations for public health issues, substance use treatment, child welfare services, and seniors issues and elder care.

    Consumer Protection

    Chair: Brian A. Hudson, Sr., Former CEO Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

    The Advisory Committee for Consumer Protection will be chaired by Brian Hudson, Former CEO, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, and will include Former Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, housing authority experts and community development specialists. This committee will play a critical role in advising the Governor-Elect in setting up an Administration that will protect the public from deceptive or unfair business practices and from unfair methods of competition through law enforcement, advocacy, research, and education. As Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, Shapiro took on the predatory lenders and returned over $130 million to Pennsylvania students and families who got screwed and taken advantage of. As Governor, he will continue to take on powerful interests on behalf of the good people of Pennsylvania.

    State Government Operations

    Chair: Joann Bell, Director of the Philadelphia Government Office, Pugliese Associates

    The Advisory Committee for State Government Operations will be chaired by Joann Bell, Director of the Philadelphia Government Office and a member of Pugliese Associates. The committee will be made up of regulatory & government affairs experts, former state legislators and labor leaders who represent public sector workers, who will play a key role in advising the Shapiro-Davis Administration in creating a state government that works effectively and efficiently, serving the people of Pennsylvania each and every day.

    See below for the full list of members of the Transition Advisory Committees:

    ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

    Chair: Matt Smith, President, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce

     

    Rural/Agriculture

    Michael Bronstein, President, American Trade Association for Cannabis & Hemp

    Raymond Bunt, Jr., Former State Representative (147th District, Montgomery County)

    Justin Clapper, Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau

    Larisa Miller, President & CEO, Keystone Farm Future CEO, Phoenix Global, LLC

    Alan P. Novak, President, Novak Strategic Advisors; Partner, Rooney Novak Isenhour Group; Attorney at Lamb McErlane, PC

    James M. D’Innocenzo, Vice President – State Government, Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, Comcast NBC Universal

    David Kerr, President External Affairs, AT&T Pennsylvania

    Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Executive Director, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture

    Dr. Kyle C. Kopko, Executive Director, Center for Rural Pennsylvania

    Michael Smith, Ph.D., Director of Commonwealth Relations, Office of Government and Community Affairs, University of Pennsylvania

    Gabe Perlow, CEO, Rooted Management Services

    Christian R. Herr, Executive Vice President, PennAg Industries Association

    Joey Jurgielewicz, CEO Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd.

     

    Business Development

    Marwan Kreidie, Professor of Political Science, West Chester University, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Arab-American Development Corps

    Nagi Latefa, Application’s Engineering Manager at Intel Corporation

    Kevin Acklin, President of Business Operations, Pittsburgh Penguins

    John Callahan, Former Mayor of Bethlehem

    Charlie Dent, Former Member of Congress

    Jill Foys, Executive Director, Northwest Pa Regional Planning and Development Commission

    Marcel Groen, Retired Partner, Fox Rothschild; Former Chair, Pennsylvania Democratic Party

    Richard M. Horowitz, Chairman and CEO, RAF Industries, Inc.

    Sam Katz, Filmmaker, History Making Productions

    Grace McGregor Kramer, Vice President of Operations, McGregor Industries, Inc.

    Michael K. Pearson, Partner, Iron Stone Real Estate Partners

    Gregg Perelman, Founding Partner and CEO, Walnut Capital Management

    J.B. Reilly, President, City Center Investment Corporation

    Israel Roizman, President, Roizman Development Inc.

    Marc Stier, Director, PA Budget and Policy Center

    William R. Taxay, Shareholder and Co-Leader, Real Estate National Practice Group, Dentons Cohen & Grigsby P.C.

    Ken Weinstein, President, Philly Office Retail

    Herky Pollock, Executive Vice President, CBRE

    Mark E. Pasquerilla, Chair of the Greater Johnstown Regional Partnership Chairman of Crown American Associates

    Michael Heller, Executive Chairman and CEO, Cozen O’Connor

    Mark Campbell, Partner, Ridge Policy Group

    Jennifer Rodriguez, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

    Luke Bernstein, President & CEO, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry

    Timothy M. Pulte, Executive Managing Director – Market Leader Philadelphia Tri-State Region Brokerage, Colliers

    Clifford B. Levine, Chair, Public Sector Law Group, Dentons, Cohen & Grigsby, PC

    John Grady, Senior Vice President, Wexford Science & Technology, LLC

    Jim Wansacz, Executive Director, Agency for Community EmPOWERment of NEPA

    Sam Williamson, Western Pennsylvania District Director, SEIU 32BJ

    Mustafa Rashed, President & CEO, Bellevue Strategies

    Jeff Bartos, Co-Founder and Chair, Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund

    Mike Shirk, CEO, High Companies

    Paul Gitnik, Board Member, Pennsylvania Board of Finance & Revenue

     

    Transportation & Infrastructure

    Bernie Hall, President, United SteelWorkers District 10

    Bill Hamilton, President, Pennsylvania Conference of Statewide Teamsters; International Vice President, Teamsters

    Joanne Manganello, Director of Pennsylvania Government Relations, LIUNA Mid-Atlantic Regional Organizing Coalition

    Thomas R. McIntyre, Business Manager/Financial Secretary, I.B.E.W. Local Union No. 5

    Tom Melcher, Business Manager, Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council

    Brittney Rodas, Legislative and Political Representative, UFCW Local 1776

    Wadud Ahmad, President/Co-Founder, Ahmad Zaffarese LLC

    Chuck Hammel, President, Pitt Ohio

    Jeffrey Letwin, Counsel, Saul Ewing LLP

    Gregory B. May, Vice President & Pennsylvania Office Leader, HNTB Corporation

    Thomas C. Melisko, Jr., Business Manager, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 66

    Leslie Richards, General Manager, SEPTA; Former Secretary of PennDOT; Former Montgomery County Commissioner

    Mark Stine, Executive Vice President Legislative and Public Affairs, PA Automotive Association

    Sarah Clark Stuart, Executive Director, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

    Vince Tutino, President, The Lindy Group Inc.

    Barry Schoch, Senior Vice-President, KCI Technologies, Inc.

    Folasade (Sade) Olanipekun-Lewis, Vice President Operating & Community Partnerships, Vantage Airport Group

    Jon Geeting, Engagement Director, Philadelphia 3.0

    George Zalar, Business Manager, Ironworkers Local 404

    George Pegram, Business Manager, Plumbers Local 690

    Robert Latham, Executive Vice President Associated PA Constructors

     

    Innovation

    Jim Greenwood, Senior Policy Advisor, DLA Piper Global Law Firm

    Kurt Imhoff, Senior Vice President, Policy & Public Affairs at Life Sciences Pennsylvania

    Jeff Marrazzo, Co-founder and former CEO, Spark Therapeutics

    Jack Cohen, President, Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau

    Angelo J. Valletta, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania

    Russel Kaufman, M.D., President Emeritus, The Wistar Institute, Professor Emeritus, Duke University, Executive in Residence, Pappas-Capital

    Michael S. Parmacek, MD, Frank Wister Thomas Professor of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Chair, Department of Medicine, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine

    Matt Smith, President, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce

     

    ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

    Chair: MeeCee Baker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Versant Strategies

     

    Environment

    Katie Blume, Political & Legislative Director, Conservation Voters of PA

    Nelson Diaz, Ret. Judge and former Exelon Director and Vice Chairman of Hispanic in Energy

    Jaimie Field, Director of Sustainability, Entercom

    Patrick Morgan, Patrick Morgan, 1st Deputy Commissioner, Strategy and Engagement Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

    Charlie McPhedran, Senior Attorney, Earthjustice

    Mark Szybist, Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council

    Melissa Ostroff, Pennsylvania Field Advocate at Earthworks

    Jennifer Quinn, Legislative and Political Director, Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter

    Jim M. Seif, Former Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Former Regional Administrator, EPA Region 3

    Ezra P. Thrush, MPA, Senior Director of Government Affairs, PennFuture

    John Walliser, Senior Vice President – Legal & Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Environmental Council

    Shannon Waterman Dawson, Senior Associate, Wojdak Government Relations

    Jennifer Fields, Managing Partner, ACRI Environmental Group LLC

    David Masur, Executive Director, PennEnvironment

    Carol Collier, Senior Advisor for Watershed Management and Policy, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

    Romulo Diaz, Principal, Turtle on Post, LLC

    Jim Wansacz, Executive Director, Agency for Community EmPOWERment of NEPA

     

    Energy

    Joe Dominguez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Constellation

    Louis Evans, President & CEO, Commonwealth Energy Group

    Marc Felgoise, Member, Intersect Energy

    John Hines, Corporate Relations Manager – Northeast Great Lakes Region, Shell

    Christopher Lewis, Principal, Blank Rome; Energy Commission Chair, City of Philadelphia

    Brian Aiello, Vice President – External Relations, CNX Resources Corp

    Kevin Walker, CEO, Duquesne Light

    Cheryl McAbee, Esquire, Senior Counsel, Hardwick Law Firm and President of River Development Corporation

    Joylette Portlock, PH.D., Executive Director, Sustainable Pittsburgh

    Mike Stanton, Business Manager, Boilermakers Local 154

    Kareem Afzal, Chief Executive Officer, PDC Machines

    Jeaneen Zappa, Executive Director, Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance

    Dan Lapato, Managing Director, State Affairs and Public Policy, American Gas Association

    John Kotek, Senior Vice President for Policy Development and Public Affairs, Nuclear Energy Institute

    Stephanie Catarino Wissman, American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania

    John Bland, Business Manager, Boilermakers Local 13

    Seth Shapiro, President & CEO, Philadelphia Gas Works

    Jim Snell, Business Manager, Steamfitters Local 420

    Judson Kroh, Robindale Energy

    Ken Broadbent, Business Manager, Steamfitters Local 449

    John Bane, Director of Government Affairs, EQT Corporation

    Doug Oliver, Vice President, Governmental and External Affairs, PECO

    Ed Hazzouri, Chairman of Hazzouri and Associates

    Paul A. Roth, Ph.D., Principal, Entropia LLC; Former State Director, Clean Power PA Coalition

     

    PUBLIC SAFETY

    Chair: Patrick Murphy, Former Under Secretary of the Army

     

    Law Enforcement

    Richard Johnston, Sherriff, Northampton County

    John Eckenrode, President, Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers

    Dave Kennedy, President, Pennsylvania State Troopers Association

    John McNesby, President, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5

    Joe Regan, President, Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police

    Charles Roca, Chief of Police, City of Allentown

    Robert Swartzwelder, President, Pittsburgh Fraternal Order of Police Local #1

    Greg Rowe, Executive Director, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association

    Danielle Outlaw, Police Commissioner, Philadelphia Police Department

    Dave Heckler, Former District Attorney, Bucks County

    Thomas Stangrecki, Acting Chief of Police, City of Pittsburgh

     

    Emergency Management

    Bob Brooks, President, Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association

    Chuck McQuilkin, Vice President, Philadelphia Firefighters & Paramedics Union IAFF Local #22

    Jack Tomarchio, Principal, Agoge Group, LLC

    Patrick Murphy, Former Under Secretary of the Army

    Jerome Ozog, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute

    Roland “Bud” Mertz, Director, Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety

    Tim Leech, Vice President, Pittsburgh Firefighters IAFF Local No. 1

     

    Community Safety

    Adam Garber, Executive Director, CeaseFirePA

    Bryan Lentz, Attorney, Bochetto and Lentz PC

    Dorothy Johnson-Speight, Founder & National Executive Director, Mothers In Charge

    John Solomon, Founder & Community Activist, Endangered Kind

    Nick Suplina, Senior Vice President for Law & Policy, Everytown for Gun Safety

    Maria Goellner, Pennsylvania State Policy Director, FAMM

    Abbie Newman, Chief Executive Officer, Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center

    Saleem Holbrook, Executive Director, Abolitionist Law Center

    Alexandra Abboud, Pennsylvania Program Manager, Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice

    Hank Butler, Executive Director, PA Jewish Coalition

    Margot Isman, Policy Director, Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project

    Dr. Jamie Martin, Professor, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Former APSCUF President

    Jasiri X, Co-Founder & CEO, 1Hood Media

    Rev. Donald Moore, Pastor, Mount Carmel Baptist Church

    Robert Rooks, CEO, REFORM Alliance

    Karen Buchholz, Executive Vice President of Administration for Comcast Corporation

    Brittany Kline, Program Director, Safe2SaySomething

     

    EDUCATION/WORKFORCE

    Chair: Patrick Gallagher, Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh

     

    Pre-K–12

    Lisa Nutter, Founder and Managing Partner, Community Impact Investments

    Jim Vaughan, Executive Director, Pennsylvania State Education Association

    Laura Boyce, Executive Director, Teach Plus Pennsylvania

    Joel Greenberg, Founder, Susquehanna International Group

    Kathy H. Christiano, Board Chair, William Penn Foundation and preschool teacher

    Sean Reily, President & CEO, Roscommon International

    Daniel Weidemer, Director of Government Relations, Pennsylvania State Education Association

    Art Steinberg, President, American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania

    Amy Sichel, Former Superintendent of Abington School District

    Turea Hutson, PhD candidate in the Drexel University School of Education

    Rich Askey, President, Pennsylvania State Education Association

    Sharif El-Mekki, CEO, The Center for Black Educator Development

    Christopher Goins, President, Girard College

    Tracey Hart, Educator, Franklin School District

    Nathan Mains, CEO, Pennsylvania School Boards Association

    Robert Mitchell, Educator, Pittsburgh Public School District

    Keisha Jordan, President and CEO, Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia

    Rev. Luis Cortez Jr, Founder & CEO, Esperanza

    Chris Wakeley, Former Executive Director, PA House Education Committee

    Keisha Jordan, President & CEO, Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia

    Stacy Holland, Executive Director, Elevate 215

    Sherri Smith, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators

     

    Higher Education

    Brenda Allen, President, Lincoln University

    Elizabeth Bolden, President & CEO, Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges

    Tom Foley, President, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania

    John Fry, President, Drexel University

    Patrick Gallagher, Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh

    Amanda Hill, Senior Director of Marketing & External Relations, Peirce College

    Pedro Rivera, President, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology; Former Pennsylvania Secretary of Education

    Cindy Shapira, Chair, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors

    Christopher Gray, President, Erie County Community College

    Kevin Jenkins, President & CEO, Manchester Bidwell Corporation

    Ken Mash, President, Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties

    Wendell Pritchett, Former Interim President, The University of Pennsylvania

    Pamela Keye, Chief Diversity and Compliance Officer, Cheney University

    James Mullen, Former President, Allegheny College

    Janine Frazier Macklin, Associate Director Corporate Relations, Duquesne University

    Barbara K. Altman, President, Franklin & Marshall College

    Mitchell Morgan, Chairman of the Board, Temple University and Chairman of the Board, Morgan Properties

    Ronald DiNicola, Partner, DiNicola Law Offices

    Donald Guy Generals, President, Community College of Philadelphia

     

    Workforce Development

    Darrin Kelly, President, Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council

    Daniel Alvalle, Pennsylvania Director, CASA

    Robert Bair, President, Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades

    Gary Masino, President, Sheet Metal Workers Local 19

    Khamil Bailey, Black Business Advocate

    William Sproule, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters

    Robert Cherry, CEO, Partner4Work Inc

    Patrick Clancy, President & CEO, Philadelphia Works

    Tim Crowther, Political Director and Business Representative, IUPAT District Council 21

    Michael Stefan, Assistant Vice President of State Relations, Penn State University

    Sabrina Saunders-Mosby, President & CEO, Vibrant Pittsburgh

    Michael Araten, CEO & President, Sterling Drive Ventures

    Alex Halper, Vice President of Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry

    Warren Faust, President, NEPA Building Trades Council

    Christopher Hundley, Public & Government Relations Director at SEIU Local 668

    Gary Masino, President, Sheet Metal Workers Local 19

    Stuart Davidson, Partner, Willing, Williams, & Davidson

    Michael Kiel, Rehab Specialist, Center for Independent Living of South Central Pennsylvania

    Theo Braddy, President, Theo Braddy Consulting

    Jasmine Sessoms, SVP of Corporate Affairs for Hilco Redevelopment Partners

     

    Health and Human Services

    Chair: Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Senior Pastor at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church

     

    Healthcare

    Bruce Armon, Partner and Health Law Group Chair, Saul Ewing LLP

    Allison Beam, Senior Vice President and Chief Government Affairs Officer, UPMC

    Steven Davis, Insurance Chair, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP

    Jay Feldstein, President and CEO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

    Martin Gaynor, E.J. Barone University Professor of Economics and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University

    Ravi Gupta, Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins Medicine

    Azmat Husain, Chief Medical Officer & Co-Founder, Personic Healthcare

    Tracy Lawless, Government Affairs Counselor, K&L Gates LLP

    Daniel Onorato, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Highmark Health

    Jack D. Schocker, Chair, Department Of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Altoona

    Eric Settle, Senior Counsel, AmeriHealth Caritas

    A. Everette James, M. Allen Pond Professor of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh

    Andrew Sharp, Director of State Government Relations, Penn Medicine

    Nathan Spade, Vice President, External Affairs, UnitedHealth Group

    Heather Tyler, Vice President, State Legislative Advocacy, The Hospital + Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania

    Richard Ost, President, Philadelphia Pharmacy Inc.

    Charles Breslin, CEO, Rittenhouse Consulting Group LLC, Maintenance Matrix LLC, DBA Star Quality Health Partners

    Matthew Yarnell, President, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania

    Alhambra Frarey, Assistant Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, Penn Medicine

    Kristen Farry, Vice President of Policy & Government Relations, Woods Services

    Gary Zegiestowsky, Executive Director, Rural Health Redesign Center

    Kevin Mahoney, CEO, University of Pennsylvania Health System

    Antoinette Kraus, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Health Access Network

    Argie Allen-Wilson, Mental Health/Relationship Therapist & Co-Founder of Mental Health First Connects, Connections Matter LLC and Founder of F.A.I.T.H. Connects LLC

    Maureen May, President, Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals

    Benjamin Abella, William G. Baxt Professor and Vice Chair for Research; Director, Center for Resuscitation Science; Medical Director, Penn Acute Research Collaboration, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

    Michael A. Yonas, Vice President for Public Health, Research, and Learning for the Pittsburgh Foundation

     

    Human Services

    Josie Badger, President, J. Badger Consulting

    Nancy Murray, Senior VP of Achieva and President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh

    Denny O’Brien, Former Speaker, Pennsylvania House of Representatives

    Stewart Cohen, Shareholder, Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C.

    William Stauffer, Executive Director, The Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations – Alliance

    Wendy Evans, Director of Operations, Commonwealth Energy Group

    Carlos Carter, President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

    Richard Edley, President & CEO, Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association

    Cynthia Figueroa, President & CEO, JEVS Human Services

    Bev Mackereth, Former Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

    Katharine Dalke, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health

    Lynette Brown-Sow, President, L. M. Brown Management Group, LLC

    Shaun Dougherty, Board President, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

    Pat Brier, Founder, Patrick J. Brier & Associates

    Salima Suswell, Executive Director, Emgage Pennsylvania

    Ted Kopas, Project Manager, Governor’s Action Team and Former Commissioner, Westmoreland County

    Charles Hooker, President & CEO, Keystone Human Services

    Weston Kensinger, Director, Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research and Associate Teaching Professor of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State University

    Lucy Kitner, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of County Administrators of Mental Health and Developmental Services

    Garrett Snider, Director, Philadelphia DHS Child Welfare Oversight Board; Director, The Mayors Fund for Philadelphia; Founder and Board Member, The Resilience Foundation

    Dale Klatzker, President & CEO, Gaudenzia, Inc.

    Sherri Landis, Executive Director, The Arc of Pennsylvania

    Michael McDonnell, Communications Manager, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

    Ruth Siegfried, Founder and President, InVision Human Services

    Joan Erney, Former Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
    Monica Taylor, Chair, Delaware County Council
    Marquita Williams, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services for City of Philadelphia
    Amy Lutz, Senior Lecturer, University of Pennsylvania
    Davida Berger, Past President of the Association of Adults with Developmental Disabilities

     

    Seniors

    Nancy Thaler, National Consultant on Medicaid-Funded Long-Term Care and Home and Community Based Services

    Teresa Osborne, State Advocacy Director, AARP Pennsylvania

    Barbara L. Valaw, Served as Director of Quality Assurance, Pennsylvania Department of Aging

    Zach Shamberg, President & CEO, Pennsylvania Health Care Association

    Scott Rifkin, Executive Chairman, Real Time Medical

    Rebecca May-Cole, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging

    Daniel Mazus, President, Retired Public Employees of Pennsylvania AFSCME Chapter 13

    Mary Jo Campbell, Vice Mayor, Washington Township, Erie County

    Linda Weaver, Retired PSEA Educator

     

    CONSUMER PROTECTION

    Chair: Brian A. Hudson, Sr., Former CEO Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

     

    Housing

    Mark Dambly, CEO Pennrose, LLC

    Brian Hudson, CPA, CTP, Former CEO of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

    Jonathan Hudson, Partner, Hudson Companies.

    Blane Stoddart, President & CEO, BFW Construction Project Managers

    Bryce Maretzki, Director of Policy and Planning, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

    Nilda Ruiz, President & CEO, Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha

    Cindy Daley, Director of Community Redevelopment Initiatives, Regional Housing Legal Services

    Kevin Quisenberry, Litigation Director, Community Justice Project

    Kyle Speece, Regional Vice President, Development, Conifer Realty

    Kelvin Jeremiah. Housing President & CEO, Philadelphia Housing Authority

     

    Finance & Insurance

    Mark Dombrowski, Vice President of Government Affairs, Erie Insurance Group

    Jamie Maguire, CEO & Chairman, Skippack Energy LLC

    Richard Green, Chairman and CEO, Firstrust Bank

    Dominic Folino, Founder, PA Blockchain Coalition and President, Spectrum Strategies

    Warner N. Macklin III, Chairman, CEO and Managing Director, FoxChase Advisors, LLC

    Valentino DiGiorgio, Esq., General Counsel and Consultant, BSI Consulting, LLC

    Robin Weissman, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

    Nicholas Smyth, Senior Deputy Attorney General & Assistant Director for Consumer Financial Protection, Office of Attorney General

    Sarah Hammer, Esq. Managing Director, The Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance, The Wharton School

    Steven Davis Insurance Chair, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP

    Roger Zacharia, President and CEO of Ambler Savings Bank

     

    STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

    Chair: Joann Bell, Director of the Philadelphia Government Office, Pugliese Associates

    Government Reform

    Kathleen Bruder, Chair of Regulatory & Government Affairs, Saxton & Stump

    Peter Calcara, Vice President of Government Relations, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants

    Chris Cera, CEO, Arcweb Technologies

    Tracy Coleman, State and Local Government Director of Sales, Pegasystems

    Alan Kessler, Partner, Duane Morris LLP

    Laura Jan Kuller, Attorney & Owner, Pursuit Advocacy

    Mike Maguire, Political Director of AFSCME Council 13

    Lindsey Mauldin, Vice President, Advocacy and Public Policy, Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania

    Mark Segal, Journalist & Author

    Craig Snyder, CEO, Indigo Global Corporation

    Connie Williams, Former Pennsylvania State Senator

    David Davis, Managing Director, Accenture

    Reesa Kossoff, Executive Director, SEIU PA State Council

    Mary Isenhour, Partner, Rooney Novak Isenhour Group

    David Landau, Of Counsel, Duane Morris LLP

    Sarah Spotts, Associate at Triad Strategies

    Steve Cantanese, President, SEIU Local 668

    Lisa Schaefer, Executive Director, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania

    Sandra Fine Williams, Assistant to the PSEA Executive Director, PSEA

    Abe Amoros, Deputy Executive Director, Pennsylvania Municipal League

    Eric Gutshall, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority and the State Public School Building Authority

     

    Legal & Judiciary

    Murray Ufberg, Senior Partner, Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald, LLP

    Michael Quatrini, Attorney, Quatrini Law Group

    Dan Brier, Founding Partner Myers, Brier & Kelly, LLP

    Larry Bendesky, Managing Shareholder, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky

    Joe Messa, President and Founding Partner of Messa & Associates, PC.

    Jason Matzus, Owner, Baldwin Matzus, LLC

    Jason Landau Goodman, Board Chair of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress

    Jeffrey Scott, Lead Compliance Counsel, Digital, Reporting, and Analytics, Pfizer

    Kristen Feden, Partner at Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky, PC

    Sara Jacobson, Executive Director, Public Defenders Association

     

    Local Government

    Christina Finello, Solicitor, Bucks County Clerk of Courts

    Steven Kline, Chair, Montgomery County Planning Commission

    Dawn Summerville, Deputy Commerce Director, City of Philadelphia

    Tom VanKirk, Retired Chief Legal Officer of Highmark Health

    Alex Reber, Managing Partner, Miller Dixon Drake, PC

     

    ###

  • Take Charge of Your Health Today: Reproductive healthcare

    Originally published: March 15, 2023
    New Pittsburgh Courier

    The Urban League has been deeply committed to the health and well-being of children and families, and this can be seen in the work we do through the Family Support Centers.  

    How do the Family Support Centers and other initiatives in our region help to address greater equity in reproductive health?   

    We leverage our centers as a hub to connect our families to resources that address the needs of the whole person.

    The Family Support Centers provide to each visitor in need (individuals, parents, or families) a variety of services. These services include transportation to any type of medical care appointment and one-on-one support and guidance to each person seeking reproductive healthcare.

    This support extends to assisting in and engaging with healthcare concierge services provided by their healthcare provider, as well as finding providers in, or surrounding, their community.

    Our staff is trained to educate our visitors on their healthcare options, such as informing them what is 100% covered and what may require a copayment. Our team guides and supports our visitors to be their own advocate: for their bodies, their health, and, ultimately, their children and families.

    If an individual does not have healthcare coverage, we work to connect them with resources.  Additionally, our team educates families about the importance of prenatal appointments and makes sure their children and babies have regularly scheduled checkups.

    Throughout their visit, the Family Support Center staff connects each visitor to resources that help them meet their basic needs and opportunities for economic self-sufficiency.

    What can we all do to promote reproductive health for Black Women?

    I believe the most important thing we can do is to listen to Black women. We must understand their — and their families’ — needs and offer unconditional support.

    Too often, medical professionals and the broader community refuse to give our Black women the same attention and concern that others receive. That must change.

    We need to ensure that our women feel loved, heard, respected, and supported.  We must guarantee that they are equipped with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their bodies and wholistic wellbeing.

    Our Black women are the rock of our community and deserve to live long, healthy, and productive lives!  Black women matter and it is time that they get the chance to thrive!

    Carlos T. Carter is president and CEO of Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh