Press Release

PUC Chair Gladys Brown Named ‘2017 Government Lawyer of the Year’ by the Pennsylvania Bar Association

Published on 11/17/2017

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

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Gladys M. Brown has been named the “2017 Government Lawyer of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA).

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the Bar Association – including so many of my colleagues and friends – and fortunate to have the privilege of leading an organization that touches the lives of so many Pennsylvanians,” Chairman Brown said. “I have always been guided by the maxim, ‘to whom much is given, much is required,’ and I believe it is essential that we all find ways to give back to our communities.”

The award is presented by the PBA Government Lawyers Committee, honoring a government lawyer who has made a significant singular contribution or has dedicated his or her career to outstanding service to the profession for the benefit of the public or a government entity. Chairman Brown was nominated for her “stellar record of experience, unimpeachable character, impeccable credentials and commitment to serve.”

Chairman Brown was recognized for her leadership of the PUC, including efforts to address statewide issues such as the operation of transportation network companies, like Uber and Lyft, in Pennsylvania; consumer education about potential savings related to retail energy competition; and enhanced preparations for large-scale “Black Sky” outage events. Additionally, the Bar Association noted Chairman Brown’s prior work as counsel to members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly on the legislation involving the restructuring of telecommunications, electricity and natural gas; consumer terminations and reconnections; energy efficiency; and infrastructure improvement programs.

Chairman Brown has dedicated her career to public service. In her current role, she manages a PUC staff of 500 employees with an annual budget of more than $74 million. Prior to being named chairman, she was appointed as a PUC commissioner in 2013. Before that, she served as counsel to the Senate Democratic Leader from 1991-2013 and was assistant counsel for the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in the Pennsylvania Department of State.

A former member of the PBA House of Delegates, Chairman Brown is a member of the PBA Government Lawyers Committee; PBA Minority Bar Committee and its Government Lawyers Subcommittee, Minority Law Day Central PA Subcommittee and Legislative Subcommittee, and PBA Statutory Law Committee. She is also a member of the Dauphin County Bar Association, the James S. Bowman Inns of Court and the Keystone Bar Association. In addition, she co-chaired the Transportation Task Force of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and she belongs to the graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Epsilon Sigma Omega Chapter and the Harrisburg Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy. Brown serves on the Board of Directors of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

She received both B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Pittsburgh.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov