Philadelphia, June 15, 2017 – Councilman Derek S. Green (At-Large) on Thursday congratulated Deputy City Solicitor Gemela N. McClendon on being named Executive Director of the Philadelphia Gas Commission.
Councilman Green, who serves as Chair of the Gas Commission, praised McClendon’s deep experience with utility regulations, real estate matters, and a host of complex legal, business, and strategic issues affecting the public sector.
“Gemela McClendon brings significant experience as an attorney and a manager in the areas of municipal utility governance, regulatory compliance, procurement and contracts, and real estate transactions,” Councilman Green said. “Her varied career has included a successful stint as the director of procurement for the Philadelphia Housing Authority and private legal practice. She is a skilled consensus-builder with strong leadership and organizational abilities, and a commitment to public service. The Gas Commissioners look forward to working closely with Gemela as we fulfill our important responsibilities for oversight of the Philadelphia Gas Works.”
In a public meeting held on June 13, 2017, the Gas Commission announced it had hired McClendon, who will begin working as its Executive Director on Monday, July 10, 2017. She will succeed Janet Parrish, Esq., who retired as the Commission’s Executive Director on December 31, 2016, and has continued to serve as part-time Interim Director pending completion of the Commission’s national search.
McClendon said: “I am excited by the opportunity to build on the Gas Commission’s many contributions to PGW’s improved financial health and strong operations. Before I went to law school, I worked as a paralegal in Community Legal Services’ Energy Unit, where I became familiar with some of the issues faced by PGW and its low-income customers. PGW is a significant City asset, so it is a privilege to be able to bring my more recent experience to support the Commission’s mandate.”
As a Deputy City Solicitor, McClendon serves as counsel to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Stormwater Rate Board and represents the City on real estate matters. She received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. She is a native Philadelphian.
About the Gas Commission:
The Philadelphia Gas Commission is a departmental commission of the City under the Home Rule Charter. It has general responsibility (together with the City Administration and Philadelphia City Council) for overseeing the management and operation of PGW by the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation (PFMC). PGW is a natural gas distribution operation owned by the City. The PFMC is a non-profit corporation which operates PGW under contract with the City.
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Councilman Derek S. Green, Esquire is currently serving his first term as an At-Large member of Philadelphia City Council. Green is Chair of Council’s Committee on the Disabled and Persons with Special Needs. More information at phlcouncil.com/DerekGreen
Photo: C. Smythe for Visit Philadelphia
