Press Release

Jennifer Berrier Appointed as PUC Executive Director

Published on 8/24/2023

Filed under: Consumer Education Electric Gas Motor Carrier Pipeline Rails Telecommunications Transportation and Safety Water and Wastewater

Berrier Brings Leadership Experience as Past Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry; Joins PUC on Sept. 11

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced the appointment of Jennifer Berrier, of Harrisburg, as executive director for the PUC, effective September 11, 2023.

Berrier comes to the Commission with a passion for public service and nearly two decades of experience serving Pennsylvania businesses and residents in various roles at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) – culminating with her December 2020 appointment by Governor Tom Wolf as the Commonwealth’s Labor & Industry Secretary.  In that role, she guided one of Pennsylvania’s largest state agencies through the challenges of COVID-19 and the post-pandemic recovery.

Berrier’s leadership experience, operational knowledge, administrative skills and policy experience running a large agency will serve her well in her new role with the PUC, where she will plan, organize and direct day-to-day operations of the Commission.

Before being appointed as L&I Secretary, Berrier served as Deputy Secretary of Safety and Labor-Management Relations, where she oversaw four bureaus that provided vital services impacting the economic security of individuals and businesses and ensured public safety. Prior to that she was the director for L&I’s Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety, where she oversaw the administration of building codes and ensured the safety of elevators, boilers, and LP gas and flammable and combustible liquid installations. She began her tenure at L&I as legal counsel in labor and employment matters.

Berrier holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from York College of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Widener University. When she is not working, she is either walking her Bossi Poo named Puck, attempting to bake something delicious, or engrossed in a science fiction book.

Berrier succeeds previous PUC Executive Director Seth Mendelsohn, who served in that role from May 2019 to January 2023, as well as PUC Director of Administration Robert Gramola, who also has served as Acting Executive Director since Mendelsohn’s departure.

About the PUC

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Contact:

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