CAC Members

2025-2027 Consumer Advisory Council Members

Members serve two-year terms. The 2025-2027 term began on July 1, 2025, and continues through June 30, 2027.

Mary Bach
Bach is a longtime independent consumer advocate. A former high school teacher, she is volunteer chair of AARP’s Pennsylvania Consumer Issues Task Force and has long been a strong voice for consumers across Pennsylvania. Appointment by Commission-at-Large. Resides in Murrysville, Westmoreland County.

Lenora M. Best - Vice Chair

Best has an extensive background in consumer protection policy. A retired manager with the PUC's Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS), she previously served on the PA Relay Service Advisory Board and brings decades of experience working with utility and consumer organizations. Appointment by Commission-at-Large. Resides in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County.

Patrick M. Cicero

Cicero, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, a former member and Chairman of the CAC, was appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro. He serves in an Of Counsel position with the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP), a specialized legal aid office that provides advocacy, training, and legal representation on energy and utility matters affecting low-income Pennsylvanians. He also worked at PULP as the former Executive Director before serving as Pennsylvania's Consumer Advocate. Cicero also led the Consumer Unit at MidPenn Legal Services and served as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN).

Charles L. Lanier

Lanier of Philadelphia, was appointed by Rep. Danilo Burgos, Majority Chairman of the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee. He retired from the Philadelphia Housing Authority in 2012 and previously served in counseling and leadership positions with the Philadelphia Housing Development Corp., the Urban League of Philadelphia, and the Uptown Cultural District Group for the Black United Fund, under contract with the Philadelphia Empowerment Zone.

Jen Marsh

Marsh, of Bedford, is President & CEO of the Bedford County Development Association, leading the county's business recruitment, retention and job creation efforts. Marsh brings more than 15 years of professional experience in communications, organizational leadership, and community development. Her expertise includes building public-private partnerships, advancing rural infrastructure, and engaging a broad cross section of stakeholders. She is recognized for her community-driven perspective and strong commitment to advancing Bedford County's economic and quality-of-life goals. Marsh earned her bachelor’s degree in communication, graduating summa cum laude from Walden University, Minneapolis, MN.

Elizabeth “Liz” R. Marx

Marx is Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP) – which provides information, assistance and advice about residential utility and energy matters affecting low-income consumers. Prior to joining PULP, Marx worked as a staff attorney at the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. A graduate of Temple University and the Widener School of Law, Marx currently chairs Pennsylvania’s LIHEAP Advisory Committee and serves on a statewide Weatherization Assistance Program Policy Advisory Committee. Appointment by Commission-at-Large. Resides in Harrisburg, Dauphin County.

Theresa D. Mingarell

Mingarell has a history of involvement with consumer issues, including her 10 years as a policy analyst in the PUC's Bureau of Consumer Services before her retirement in December 2022. Prior to joining the PUC, Mingarell worked as a human services program specialist and income maintenance caseworker with Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare. Appointment by Commission-at-Large. Resides in Camp Hill, Cumberland County.

Sonny Popowsky - Chairman

Popowsky is the former Pennsylvania Consumer Advocate (serving from 1990 to 2012) and is regarded nationally as an expert on state and national consumer and utility issues. He currently serves as Chair of the City of Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Stormwater Rate Board, as well as a member of the Advisory Board of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy of the University of Pennsylvania. Appointment by Commission-at-Large. Resides in Philadelphia.

Chad J. Quinn

Quinn is the Chief Executive Officer of Dollar Energy Fund, a Pittsburgh-based non-profit organization that administers utility assistance programs that assist low and moderate income households in the Commonwealth. Dollar Energy Fund is the largest utility hardship program in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the United States. Quinn was appointed by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. 

Sylvia P. Simms

Simms is an advocate for high-quality education – especially in low-income neighborhoods. Simms is the founder of PARENT POWER, a training program to get families more involved in their children’s education and has been involved with community improvement efforts for more than a decade. She also works as a housing support coach for SELF Inc. – a human services agency providing emergency and support services for Philadelphia's most vulnerable communities. Appointment by Commission-at-Large. Resides in Philadelphia.

Autumn Thomas

Thomas, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, is retired from a long career with the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association and earned degrees from Allegheny College and Penn State University. She also is a member of AARP-PA’s Consumer Issues Task Force, which is focused on protecting seniors from financial exploitation and consumer fraud prevention education and advocacy. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.