Press Release

PUC Announces Appointments to Consumer Advisory Council

Published on 6/18/2009

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater Telecommunications Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced appointments to its Consumer Advisory Council (CAC), which provides input to Commissioners on consumer-related issues. 

• The Commission reappointed the following CAC members to two-year terms from July 2009 through June 2011:  Robert A. Christianson; Cynthia J. Datig; John Detman; Harry S. Geller; Thomas A. Leach; Dr. Daniel M. Paul; Linda Roth; Lee Tolbert; and Joseph E. Toner III.  The Commission appointed two new members to the Council:  Timothy B. Hennessey and Thomas C. LeCrone.  The Commission also ratified the following appointments of other state officials:  Pedro L. Anes; Lillian Carpenter; Robert N. Dampman; Dr. Tina M. Serafini; and George J. Silvestri Jr.

The following members were reappointed today by the Commission-at-large:

• Robert A. Christianson is a retired PUC Chief Administrative Law Judge.  He resides in Cumberland County;
• Cynthia J. Datig serves as the Executive Director of the Dollar Energy Fund Inc.  She resides in Allegheny County;
• John Detman is the Aging Services Supervisor in the Department of Aging Office of Program Management.  He resides in Dauphin County;
• Harry S. Geller is the Director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP).  He resides in Dauphin County;
• Thomas A. Leach is the Business Manager and Financial Secretary of Local Union 126.  He resides in Montgomery County;
• Schuylkill County resident Dr. Daniel M. Paul is the President of Partners in Distance Learning;
• Chester County resident Linda Roth is the Senior Executive Director of Communications at Drexel University College of Medicine;
• Lee Tolbert is President of the West Philadelphia Coalition of Neighborhoods; and
• Joseph E. Toner III is Chairman of the Uwchlan Township Board of Supervisors and President for the Chester County Association of Township Officials.  He is retired from the telephone industry. 

The following members were newly appointed by the Commission-at-large:

• Timothy B. Hennessey is a political and marketing professional who works for state Rep. Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery), dealing mainly with transportation and business-related issues.  Hennessey previously worked for Rockwood Spring Water Co. of Pottstown and Liberty Property Trust of Malvern.  He resides in Montgomery County; and
• Thomas C. LeCrone is the President of LeCrone Management Group and Project Director of the PA Electric “E” Project.  He resides in Lancaster County.

The following appointments were made by other state officials and ratified by the Commission:

• Pedro L. Anes was nominated by Sen. Lisa M. Boscola (D-Lehigh), the Minority Chair of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.  Anes is the Owner and President of the Inpact Group, an economic and workforce development consulting firm, and serves as the Director of Workforce Education and Community Outreach at Marywood University in Scranton.  He currently resides in Lackawanna County;
• Allegheny County resident and retired educator Lillian Carpenter is a former member of the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education, and serves on the Pittsburgh Board of Directors for the Homeless Children’s Education Fund.  She was nominated by Rep. Joseph Preston Jr. (D-Allegheny), the Majority Chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee;
• Robert N. Dampman was reappointed by Sen. Robert M. Tomlinson, the Majority Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.   Dampman is a Legislative Assistant to Sen. Tomlinson (R-Bucks) and a former District Superintendent of Schools in the Bensalem Township School District.  He resides in Bucks County;
• Dr. Tina M. Serafini, appointed by Lt. Gov. Joseph B. Scarnati III, brings almost two decades of board and community leadership experience, as well as experience in the telecommunications industry, and in business, communications, education, information technology, leadership and management.  She resides in Clearfield County; and
• George J. Silvestri Jr. was nominated by Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery), the Minority Chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee.  Silvestri is a retired engineer in the Power Generation Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corp, and also is an author of technical papers and handbooks.  He resides in Montgomery County.

The Consumer Advisory Council advises the PUC Commissioners on matters related to the protection of consumer interests under the jurisdiction of the PUC.  Council meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Contact:

• Tom Charles
  Director of Communications
  717-787-9504
  thcharles@pa.gov