Press Release

PUC Announces Appointments to Consumer Advisory Council

Published on 6/9/2011

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 1, 2011, through June 30, 2013:  Robert A. Christianson; Cynthia J. Datig; John Detman; Harry S. Geller; Timothy B. Hennessey; Thomas C. LeCrone; Renardo L. Hicks; Lee Tolbert; and Joseph E. Toner III.  The Commission also ratified the following appointments of other state officials:  Pedro L. Anes; Michael Bannon; Lillian Carpenter; and George J. Silvestri Jr.

The following appointments were made by 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 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;
• Michael Bannon, of Doylestown, Bucks County, Director/Chief Sealer for Bucks County, was appointed by Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, bringing years of experience with negotiating for electric supply on behalf of the county, with educating Pennsylvanians about electric competition, with a committee on alternative fuels, and with reducing the impact of government operations on the environment;
• 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 Minority Chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee; and
• George J. Silvestri Jr. was nominated by Rep. Robert W. Godshall (R-Montgomery), the Majority Chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee.  Silvestri is a retired engineer in the Power Generation Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corp.  He resides in Montgomery County.

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

• Robert A. Christianson is a retired PUC Chief Administrative Law Judge and now Vice Chairman of the CAC.  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;
• Timothy B. Hennessey is the Communications Director for state Rep. Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery).  He resides in Montgomery County;
• Renardo (Rick) Hicks is a shareholder in Corporate, Finance and Capital Markets at the law firm of R.L. Hicks & Associates, and Chairman of the Council for the past four years;

• Thomas C. LeCrone is the President of LeCrone Management Group and Project Director of the PA Electric “E” Project.  He resides in Lancaster County;

• 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.  

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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Docket No. 2244363-CMR

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov