The Consumer Advisory Council represents the public in advising the PUC on matters related to the protection of consumer interests. Members also serve as a source of information and advice for the Commissioners. Council meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month and are open to the public. Members serve two-year terms. The 2001-2003 term began on July 1, 2001, and continues through June 30, 2003.

2001-2003 Members

• Harry S. Geller, Chair
• J.D. Dunbar, Vice Chair
• Cindy Datig
• Delia Rivera Diaz
• Joseph Dudick, Jr.
• Marcia M. Finisdore
• Michael Fiorentino
• William J. Jones
• Carl Kahl
• K. Tucker Landon, Esq.
• Andrew McElwaine
• Katherine A. Newell, Esq.
• Dr. Daniel M. Paul
• Julio J. Tio

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry S. Geller, Chair
Director of Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, a state-wide non-profit organization, based in Harrisburg, Pa, dedicated to providing technical support, information sharing and representation to low-income individuals in utility and energy matters. Resides in Dauphin County. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.

J.D. Dunbar, Vice Chair
Chief Executive Officer of Pennsylvania Rural Leadership Program (RULE) at Penn State University. RULE is a state-wide, adult leadership program designed to develop and nurture community leaders and local/regional leadership initiatives. Resides in Centre County. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.

Cindy Datig
Executive Director of $1 Energy Fund, Inc. She is also a member of the Department of Public Welfare LIHEAP Advisory Council, Pennsylvania Energy Assistance and Weatherization Coalition, and is vice chair of the National Low Income Energy Consortium. Resides in Pittsburgh. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.

Delia Rivera Diaz
Latino Affairs Coordinator for Lehigh Valley and Monroe counties. She is a member of the US Hispanic Leadership Institute 2001 Conference Committee, PA Statewide Latino Coalition, the PA Alliance for Building Communities, and the Bethlehem Community Development Corporation. Resides in Bethlehem. Appointment by Senator Lisa M. Boscola.

Joseph Dudick, Jr.
Principal of Dynamic Strategies. Resides in Dauphin County. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.

Marcia M. Finisdore
President and General Manager, V.C. Finisdore Inc. She comes to the Council with many years of experience as an advocate for people with disabilities. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Deaf Hearing Communication Center, and the Advisory Board of RRTC California Schools of Professional Psychology. She has served as a member of the PUC's Telecommunications Relay Service Advisory Board. Resides in Delaware County. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.

Michael Fiorentino
Executive Director of the Harrisburg office of Clean Air Council. Resides in Dauphin County. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.

William J. Jones
Retired deputy director of the Delaware County Court Services. He is also the former president and found of the board of directors for the Community Action Agency of Delaware County. He was also a hearing officer of the PA Civil Service Commission, former member of the Chester Upland Board of Control and the Villanova Criminal Justice Commission. Resides in Delaware County. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.

Carl Kahl
Retired public school teacher and administrator and the owner of a small beef farm. Resides in Somerset County. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.

K. Tucker Landon, Esq.
Resides in Carbon County. Appointment by Representative Keith R. McCall.

Andrew McElwaine
President of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council in Harrisburg, Pa. He is a member of the Dollar Energy Fund, the Great Lakes Protection Fund, the Pennsylvania Organization of Watershed and Rivers, Duquesne Light Co. Environmental Advisory Board, and the Pittsburgh Environmental Initiative Advisory Board. He is also an adjunct faculty member of Carnegie Mellon University and an alternate member of the Governor's 21st Century Environment Commission. Resides in Pittsburgh. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.

Katherine A. Newell, Esq.
Partner of DeCotiis, Fitzpatrick & Gluck in Trenton, New Jersey. She is an adjunct faculty member of Villanova Law School Graduate Tax Program. She is the past president of the Philadelphia Finance Association and chair of the 1995 Annual Meeting. She was also a member of the International Allliance and Pennsylvania Commerce Department's 1996 Best 50 Women in Business. Resides in Montgomery County. Reappointment by Lt. Governor Mark S. Schweiker.

Dr. Daniel M. Paul
President of Partners in Distance Learning, a nation-wide distance learning association emphasizing video conferencing and video streaming technologies located in Ashland, Pa. Resides in Schuylkill County. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.

Julio J. Tio
Retired chemical engineer, with an extensive background in technical and marketing fields in both private and public environments. He is a respected leader who serves as a spokesman for the Hispanic community. Resides in Dauphin County. Appointment by Commission-at-Large.

Act 34 of 1995 (HB961) Provides Telecommunication Relay Service and Equipment Distribution Programs for Pennsylvania.

• AT&T Relay Consumer Service
  

  100 South Jefferson Street - Suite 115
  New Castle, PA 16101
  800-682-8706 v
  800-682-8786 tt
  888-288-2184 fax

• Relay Service Advisory Board

• Additional Relay Services Available

The May 29, 1990 Order establishing the PA TRS provided also for the establishment of the Relay Service Advisory Board (Board) for the purpose of reviewing the success of the TRS in Pennsylvania and identifying additional improvements which may be necessary to implement for the continued success of the program.

The Board is comprised of representatives from the following: AT&T, PTA, PUC, the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and from the community of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and persons with language and speech disorders.

The normal term of service on the Relay Advisory Board is two years.