Former L&I secretary tapped to head PUC

Jennifer Berrier, a former cabinet officer in the Wolf administration, has been appointed executive director of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, effective Sept. 11.

Prior to this, Berrier served nearly two decades in various roles at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, culminating with her December 2020 appointment by Gov. Tom Wolf as the commonwealth’s Labor & Industry secretary. While secretary, Berrier “guided one of Pennsylvania’s largest state agencies through the challenges of COVID-19 and the post-pandemic recovery,” a release said.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from York College of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Widener University.

“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,” the release said.

Before being appointed as L&I secretary, she was deputy secretary of Safety and Labor-Management Relations, where she oversaw four bureaus that provided vital services affecting the economic security of individuals and businesses and ensured public safety.

And before that, Berrier 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, liquified petroleum gas, and flammable and combustible liquid installations. She began at Labor & Industry as legal counsel in labor and employment matters.

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer