There will be a new leader of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).

Governor Tom Wolf today appointed Gladys Brown as the new Chair of PUC. Brown was previously a Commissioner on the board. Departing Chair Robert Powelson will remain as a Commissioner.

“I am pleased to appoint Gladys Brown to serve as chair of the Public Utility Commission,” said Governor Wolf. “I look forward to working with Gladys to ensure there is a stable balance between consumers and utilities, as well as utilizing PUC to advance the development of Pennsylvania’s infrastructure to support the natural gas industry.”

“I also believe we have a real opportunity to reposition the commonwealth as a leader in developing renewable energy and energy efficiencies,” continued Governor Wolf. “Gladys shares my vision and has the experience to help advance policies to achieve this. I also want to thank Robert Powelson for his service as chair and I will work closely with him in his role as commissioner.”

The Wolf Administration provided the following biography on Brown:

Gladys Brown has served as commissioner on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission since 2013. Her current term expires in 2018. Prior to serving on PUC, Gladys served as an aide and counsel to the Pennsylvania State Senate for nearly 23 years. She is a member of the Dauphin County Bar Association, the James S. Bowman Inns of Court, and the Keystone Bar Association. She is also an active member at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Harrisburg and a member in Epsilon Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Gladys is also member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, currently serving on the House of Delegates for the organization, and she recently joined the Board of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Gladys is a native of Middletown and she currently resides in Harrisburg. She earned her bachelors and juris doctorate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh.