Issue 1, 2018

newsletter of the administrative office of pa courts

  2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9

JUDICIAL
BUDGET
REQUEST

Established more than three centuries ago, the Pennsylvania courts 
have a history of providing efficient, effective and fair access to justice 
for all who come before them. Since their inception however, the 
breadth and depth of services and support provided by the courts 
has evolved and expanded. Problem-solving courts, ensuring court 
access in a myriad of ways, and customizing programs to meet the 
needs of our youngest and oldest citizens are part of this evolution.

Ample funding, along with sound and efficient fiscal management, 
allow us to continue fulfilling the courts’ traditional and expanded 
missions.

AOPConnected takes a look at the Unified 
Judicial System’s 2018-2019 budget request 
to the legislative and executive branches.

(continued on page 2)

$355.5 million 
State tax funds

FUNDING 
SOURCES

Since 2009, fee revenue 

has been used to fund a 

portion of the judiciary’s 

annual budget, currently 

about 12.4% of the total.

PROPOSED  
2018-19 BUDGET

SAVING
DOLLARS

With the assistance of the 

General Assembly, the 

governor, and the judiciary’s 

focus on efficiency and 

commitment to remaining 

good stewards of taxpayer 

dollars, this year’s budget 

request seeks no new state 

tax dollars for appropriation. 

2

The judiciary receives 
about ½ of 1% of the 
state budget 

$1.6 million
Federal funds

$116.4 million
Fees

$10 MILLION IN 
SAVINGS FOR 2017-18

$632 thousand

Contract savings 

$4.3 million

Benefits/salary

$5.1 million

Realignment of magisterial  
district courts

Over the past 10 years, 

the judiciary has 

saved $91.5 million

Common Pleas judges 
completed nearly 
million 
minutes 
of case-specific work 
during the three-year study

40 

more INFORMATION

www.pacourts.us/news-and-statistics/reports/
common-pleas-judicial-needs-assessment-project

Over the past 

10 years, 

the judiciary 

has collected 

$4.6 billion

$471 million collected

2017

$355 million budget request

JUDICIAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT: 
EVALUATING JUDICIAL 
RESOURCES

As trial court work evolves and becomes more complex, 

evaluating current court operations, workload and 

resources is necessary to ensure that appropriate 

resources are available to manage and resolve court 

business. 

Contracting with the National Center for State Courts, 

the Judicial Needs Assessment (JNA) was completed in 

2017. Results show that overall, Pennsylvania’s Courts of 

Common Pleas are sized correctly, with the appropriate 

number of jurists in each county to do the job.

Additionally though, the report provides critical data to 

evaluate current and future resource needs, to ensure 

fair, timely and accessible justice for all.

ANNUAL 
COLLECTIONS

The efficient and effective collection   

of fines, fees, costs and restitution   

remains a top priority.

Historically, Pennsylvania courts have 

collected more in fines, fees, costs and 

restitution than is appropriated to the 

judiciary. 2017 is no different, with more 

than $471 million collected and pushing the 

amount collected during the past 10 years 

to $4.6 billion. These dollars, for the most 

part, flow to state, local governments and 

victims of crime, with a small portion of 

the money distributed to airports, parking 

authorities and libraries.

3

3

’17

’16

’15

’14

$114 million

$103 million

$92 million

$77 million

Dollars collected
via PAePAY

In 2017, more than

600
judges 

attended

15, 
 hours
 judicial
education. 

of continuing

’17

’16

’15

’14

Transactions completed 
via PAePAY

892,583

797,711

700,394

577,264

LEADING THE 
NATION IN COURT 
TECHNOLOGY

very day more than 11 million transactions 

take place on the judiciary’s three case 

management systems and the pacourts.us 

website. Transactions range from checking 

docket sheets to paying fines.

  E

PAePAY® continues to be the method of 

choice for online payment of attorney 

registration fees, fines, fees, costs, 

restitution and bail in Pennsylvania. The 

success of the online payment option 

continues to gain popularity with users, last 

year marking an increase of 13% over the 

prior year. 

BREAKING NEW GROUND 
IN JUDICIAL EDUCATION

The Unified Judicial System, under the direction of the 

Supreme Court, remains focused on the importance of 

judicial education. During the past year, the Court mandated 

that all trial and appellate court jurists must earn 12 hours 

of continuing judicial education each year. AOPC/Judicial 

Education administers this new program under the guidance 

of the Continuing Judicial Education Board of Judges. 

Magisterial District Judges continue to participate in a 

separate continuing education program. 

The judiciary also recently released bench cards and 

instructional videos intended to enhance judicial education 

efforts for more than 450 trial jurists hearing cases 

involving sexual assault and violence statewide. This project 

makes Pennsylvania the first state in the nation to use 

dedicated sexual assault and violence educational resources.

4

Editors
Stacey Witalec
Kim Bathgate

Contributors
Patti Campbell
Rhonda Hocker

Graphic Design
Gretchen Smith

Photography
Justin Scott

Court Administrator of PA
Tom Darr

Assistant Court Administrator of PA
Andrea B. Tuominen, Esq.

All content is collected, written 
and edited by the AOPC 
Communications Office 
unless noted. 
You may reach the office 
by calling: (717) 231-3300 
or by emailing: 
CommunicationsOffice@pacourts.us

For more information about 
Pennsylvania’s courts, visit the UJS 
website at: www.pacourts.us
Twitter feed for general court 
information is: @PACourts

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Thomas G. Saylor
Chief Justice of Pennsylvania

Max Baer
Justice

Debra Todd
Justice

Christine Donohue
Justice

Kevin M. Dougherty
Justice

David N. Wecht
Justice

Sallie Updyke Mundy
Justice

5

Disciplinary Board 
announces diversity 
data collection 

Fostering justice through the elimination of disparities in the judicial system 
has been a priority of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. 

There is significant value to increasing diversity in the legal profession: 

• 
• 

increased public trust and confidence in the justice system;
increased access to the profession for historically disadvantaged 
individuals.

Without reliable data on the state of diversity within the profession, it is 
difficult, if not impossible, to move forward with programs to increase 
diversity and inclusion.

Therefore, the Court has directed the Disciplinary Board to collect data on 
the gender, racial and ethnic composition of Pennsylvania attorneys, by 
including a voluntary question requesting self-identification on the annual 
attorney registration. Attorneys will see these changes during the 2018-
2019 registration year.

The collected data will establish a demographic baseline of Pennsylvania 
attorneys, track changes in the demographics of the profession for 
purposes of measuring progress, and provide useful information to the 
courts. 

The Disciplinary Board’s collection of attorney diversity data extends the 
Court’s commitment to justice by gathering foundational information to help 
identify and eliminate barriers to fairness within the court system and the 
legal profession.

Order on the court

AOPC employees volunteer for youth basketball

 

AOPC Judicial Programs 
Administrator, Andy Simpson, and 
his wife, Destiny, serve as league 
directors of Camp Hill United 
Methodist Church (UMC) Upward 
Basketball program. Last season, 
the program served over 390 
children from kindergarten to 6th 
grade participating in basketball and 
cheer in the Capitol Region. 

“The ultimate success of the 
program is the result of every 
passionate and selfless volunteer, 
including over 70 coaches, 20 
referees and countless others,” 
Simpson recalled. 

One of the more passionate 
volunteers, AOPC’s Senior Legal 
Counsel, David Price, served 
as a coach for his son’s squad 
this past season. Richard Long, 
Esq., Executive Director of the 
Pennsylvania District Attorney’s 
Association, also tirelessly coached 
two of his children’s teams. 

“The driving force behind our 
dedication is being able to give 
back,” Simpson commented. “I 
learned from my high school 
basketball coach that life’s reward is 
through service to others.”

In the two years since taking over 
as directors, the program has 
continued its success by adding 
another 80-100 combined players 
and cheerleaders, reaching maximum 
capacity at the gym. On any given 
weekend in the winter, over 1,500 
family and friends pack the Camp Hill 
UMC gym for an exhilarating game day 
experience.

“Using the gifts and passion of the 
volunteers, we try to make each game 
a moment to remember – to deliver a 
performance that keeps folks coming 
back,” he said. “We also have a zero 

6

L to R: Destiny, Alayna and Andy Simpson

“We are thankful to work with an 
amazing leadership team along with 
the numerous dedicated volunteers,” 
Simpson says. 

As far as the future of the program, he 
says they will trust and follow in faith. 

tolerance for negativity directed at 
players, coaches or refs. Cheering is 
encouraged, yelling is prohibited.” 

During games, players receive equal 
playing time, the opportunity to start 
multiple games, and are matched-up 
to similarly skilled players on the other 
team to avoid mismatches. During 
halftime, the kids learn about virtues 
such as courage, patience, kindness 
and love. 

http://www.pacourts.us/news-and-statistics/media-resources

7

Information technology 
and the courts

PENNSYLVANIA COURTS

GT S

GUARDIANSHIP
TRACKING SYSTEM

Designed with 
guardians in mind
Beginning in December 2018, all 
court-appointed guardians of adult 
incapacitated persons will have 
the convenience of filing inventory 
and annual reports online through 
Pennsylvania’s Guardianship Tracking 
System (GTS). This new system 
simplifies guardian filings, understands 
key guardian responsibilities and 
keeps guardians informed. 

Developed by AOPC/IT and the Office 
of Elder Justice in the Courts, GTS 
incorporates statewide input from 
guardians, judges, court staff, Orphans’ 
Court clerks and others. Several county 
stakeholder meetings identified local 
guardianship practices and highlighted 
how GTS will complement and possibly 
enhance them.

“We based the system on Supreme 
Court-approved guardianship 
reporting forms that must be used 
in Orphans’ Court offices statewide,” 

said Amy Ceraso, AOPC/IT director. 
“Guardians who file reports in multiple 
counties should find the system 
particularly helpful as it eliminates any 
inconsistencies with paper forms and 
simplifies how forms are completed 
and filed.”

The GTS provides an online alternative 
to the paper-based forms currently 
used to submit inventory and annual 
person and estate reports. Additionally, 
the GTS will calculate financial totals 
automatically and provide onscreen 
assistance – all while providing a 
secure way to submit information 
online.

To use the new system, a guardian 
will log in with a secure user account, 
and a unique access code issued to 
the guardian by the court. Once filed, 
annual reports and inventories are only 
viewable by the responsible Orphans’ 
Court office.

Additionally, filing fees can be paid 
online with a credit or debit card. 
AOPC has already processed hundreds 

8

of millions of dollars in court-related 
payments and all transactions will 
be protected using this established 
payment method.

As an added feature, GTS will send an 
e-mail reminder when the due date 
for an annual report is approaching. It 
will also send confirmation messages 
when the court has received an online 
submission.

The GTS project is currently in phase 
two of development and should be 
completed and fully tested in May – 
followed by user acceptance testing in 
June. Allegheny and Dauphin counties 
will begin piloting the system in July 
and August, and all remaining counties 
should begin using GTS by December 
2018.

Civil system 
research
With the Guardianship Tracking System 
on track to go live by December, 
research has begun regarding possible 
options for civil case management.

Since the late 80’s, the Supreme 
Court’s plan for statewide automation 
has been steadily progressing – 
starting with the implementation of 
the Magisterial District Judge system 
(MDJS) and followed by the Appellate 
Courts system (PACMS) and Common 
Pleas Criminal system (CPCMS). 

Over the past few months, AOPC/
IT and Deloitte Consulting have 
worked to gather information by 
reaching out to president judges, court 
administrators and prothonotaries via 
focus groups and a statewide survey. 
Most recently, several vendors known 
to have case management systems 
received a request for information 
from AOPC to better understand their 
system capabilities, operational areas, 
support and cost.

AOPC/IT and Deloitte continue to 
research options and will provide 
recommendations for the Supreme 
Court’s consideration.

Collection agency 
contract
A growing number of states are 
looking to private collection agencies 
to settle long-overdue court debt – and 
Pennsylvania is joining this movement. 

“Counties have requested 

this service because it’s 

important to make people 

accountable and follow 

through on court orders, 

as well as for restitution 

for crime victims.”

In February, AOPC released an 
invitation to bid seeking proposals for 
statewide collection agency services 
at competitive rates for use by any 
judicial district. 

“With declining revenues, counties 
have limited resources and dedicating 
staff to collect court fines and fees 
is becoming increasingly difficult,” 
said Amy Ceraso, AOPC/IT director. 

“Counties have requested this service 
because it’s important to hold people 
accountable, follow through on court 
orders, and ensure restitution for crime 
victims is received.” 

The selected vendor will develop 
an electronic interface to process 
cases from the courts of common 
pleas, Philadelphia Municipal Court 
and magisterial district courts. The 
collection agency will add its fee to the 
court-ordered obligations and remit 
collections to the individual courts on 
a weekly basis. The contract should 
be awarded this spring, followed by 
an implementation schedule for all 
interested counties.

New problem-solving courts 
administrator

The AOPC welcomed Angela Sobol Lowry as its new 
Problem-Solving Court Administrator in February. Angela 
succeeds Karen Blackburn who retired in December. 

Lowry is an experienced human services professional whose 
expertise in program implementation, team building, statistical 
analysis and grant management made her the ideal candidate 
to lead the problem-solving court program. She also brings 
extensive experience and expertise in the juvenile court and 
criminal justice systems to the AOPC. 

Originally from Pennsylvania, Lowry began her career as a 
juvenile probation officer in Northumberland County, where 
she worked directly with children and their families involved 
with the criminal justice system. 

After relocating to Maryland, she served as coordinator for 
the drug court for the City of Baltimore, responsible for the 
planning, management and daily operations of the drug court 
program.

In addition to her role with the City of Baltimore Drug Court, 
she served in various roles including as project coordinator 
for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in Baltimore. In 
that position, Lowry coordinated the implementation of the 
Fugitive Safe Surrender program, operated in conjunction with 
the U.S. Marshals Service to address the backlog of warrants in 
Baltimore City. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna 
University and her master’s in Administration of Justice from 
Shippensburg University.

Angela Sobol Lowry, Problem-Solving Courts Administratior

9

Pro bono service in Pennsylvania

Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor recently wrote to more 
than 70,000 registered lawyers in Pennsylvania thanking 
them for their continued commitment to pro bono service in 
the commonwealth. Annually, the Chief’s pro bono appeal 
asks lawyers to support civil legal aid programs through 

direct representation and financial contributions, which are 
a component of annual attorney registration fees. These 
programs and services are a critical part of the Court’s effort 
to provide civil legal aid for those who cannot afford services.

10

http://www.pacourts.us/news-and-statistics/media-resources

11

Around the Judiciary

Pennsylvania Chief 
Justice delivers 
welcoming remarks 

The Pennsylvania Commission on 
Judicial Independence, along with 
the Thomas R. Kline School of Law at 
Drexel University, held an informative 
commemoration and panel discussion 
regarding the 50th anniversary of 
the adoption of the Pennsylvania 
Constitution, during which Chief 
Justice Thomas G. Saylor provided 
opening remarks. Panelists included 
Paul Finkelman, Ph.D., President of 
Gratz College; Professor Seth Kreimer, 
University of Pennsylvania Law School; 
Professor Robert F. Williams, Rutgers 
University School of Law; and Judge 
C. Darnell Jones of the United States 
District Court for the Eastern District of 
Pennsylvania served as moderator.

Judiciary makes case 
for court funds

The Pennsylvania Judiciary 
presented its 2018-2019 budget 
proposal before the Senate 
Appropriations Committee with an 
overview of the state court system’s 
funding needs and budgeting 
efficiencies: (pictured l-r) Tom Darr, 
court administrator of Pennsylvania; 
Supreme Court Justice Max Baer; 
Supreme Court Justice Sallie 
Updyke Mundy and Andrea 
Tuominen, Esq., assistant court 
administrator of Pennsylvania.

Justice Sallie Updyke 
Mundy presents Bradford 
County treatment court 
accreditation 

Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy was on 
hand in Bradford County to present the 
Bradford County Treatment Court team 
their certificate of accreditation. 

Pennsylvania’s accreditation program 
is a rigorous, voluntary program which 
assesses a problem-solving court’s 
adherence to the “Ten Key Components 
of Drug Courts” and the “Adult Drug 
Court Best Practice Standards.”

Justices deliver oath of office

Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor 
delivered the oath of office to 
President Pro Tempore of the 
Pennsylvania Senate, Senator 
Joe Scarnati.

Justice Debra Todd swore 
Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto 
in for his second term in office.

Justice Kevin M. Dougherty 
administered the oath of office 
to Pennsylvania House member 
Jeanne McNeill.

12

Their day in court

Superior Court Judge Victor P. 
Stabile addressing the spring 
2018 House legislative fellows, 
interns from the governor’s office 
and House Archives fellows. 
Judge Stabile spoke to the role 
of the judiciary in the tripartite 
system of government, discussed 
the similarities and differences 
between the state and federal 
judiciaries and fielded questions 
from the students.    

Pennsylvania 
Conference of State 
Trial Judges officers 
strike a pose at the  
mid-annual conference

Current Officers - (l to r) Immediate 
Past President, President Judge 
John H. Foradora, Jefferson 
County; Secretary, Judge Carolyn 
T. Carluccio, Montgomery County; 
Second Vice President, Judge 
George W. Overton, Philadelphia 
County; President Elect, President 
Judge Charles H. Saylor, 
Northumberland County; President, 
Judge George A. Pagano, Delaware 
County; Treasurer, Administrative 
Judge Christina A. Ward, Allegheny 
County and First Vice President, 
Judge Terrence R. Nealon, 
Lackawanna County. 

Synergy between the 
courts and counties

Court Administrator Tom Darr 
recently joined the Spring 
Conference for the County 
Commissioners Association of Pa 
to discuss the importance of court 
and county relationships. More 
than 250 commissioners, chief 
clerks and solicitors attended the 
meeting in Harrisburg.

Sharing data using JNET

AOPC/IT Data Exchange Manager 
Ami Levin and User Interface 
Manager Mark Rothermel, presented 
a session on AOPC data exchanges 
via JNET during the Criminal Justice 
Advisory Board Conference held on 
April 3-4, 2018 in State College. The 
conference was sponsored by the 
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime 
and Delinquency. 

New judges school

The AOPC’s 2018 New Judge School 
program was held January 2018, in 
State College. Nearly 40 new judges 
serving Courts of Common Pleas in 21 
judicial districts and the Philadelphia 
Municipal Court attended this year’s 
training. Instructional sessions during 
the week-long school were taught by 
veteran judges, scholars, practitioners 
and AOPC staff. 

Training juvenile court 
hearing officers 

The Honorable Michael George, 
President Judge, Court of Common 
Pleas of Adams County; Clay 
Cauley, Esq., Juvenile Court Hearing 
Officer, Chester County; and Cathy 
Utz, Deputy Secretary, Office of 
Children, Youth and Families, PA 
Department of Human Services 
participated in a drug and alcohol 
training for juvenile court hearing 
officers at the Sheraton Harrisburg 
Hershey on April 6, 2018. The 
Honorable Joy Reynolds McCoy, 
Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming 
County and the Honorable Jennifer 
L. Rogers, Court of Common Pleas 
of Luzerne County also led a 
discussion on Ethical Situations and 
Consideration in Dependency. 

13

Transitions

(Listings include changes from 
Nov. 2, 2017 to March 20, 2018)

New to the Judicial Branch 

Kipp E. Adcock - MDJ - Lackawanna
Marc A. Alfarano - MDJ - Montgomery
Sarah B. Amalfitano - Administrative 
Assistant - Human Resources 
David C. Balint - MDJ - Greene
Jackie L. Bernard - CP Judge - Blair
Tim Beveridge - MDJ - Erie
Bret M. Binder - MDJ - Chester
Jonathan R. Birbeck - MDJ - Cumberland
Andrew L. Blattenberger - MDJ - Blair
Bruce J. Boni - MDJ - Allegheny
Rufus S. Brenneman - MDJ - Huntingdon
Marissa J. Brumbach - Judge - 
Philadelphia Municipal Court
Denise M. Buell - MDJ - Erie
Michael A. Burns - MDJ - Delaware
Daniel E. Butler - MDJ - Allegheny
Tonya A. Butler - MDJ - Berks
Deborah L. Canty - CP Judge - 
Philadelphia
Todd A. Carr - MDJ - Bradford
Robert J. Catalde - District Court 
Administrator - Erie
Steven M. Chieffo - MDJ - Berks
Matthew C. Christopher - MDJ - Luzerne
Deborah D. Cianfrani - CP Judge - 
Philadelphia
Michael T. Clark - CP Judge - Indiana
Lucretia C. Clemons Jones - CP Judge - 
Philadelphia
Maureen C. Coggins - MDJ - Montgomery
Mark B. Cohen - CP Judge - Philadelphia
William C. Cole, Jr. - MDJ - 
Northumberland
Patrick M. Connelly - CP Judge - 
Allegheny 
Jeffrey A. Conrad - CP Judge - 
Lancaster 
LeeAnn L. Covac - District Court 
Administrator - Cameron/Elk 
Lisa M. Covert - MDJ - Huntingdon
Thomas C. Creighton - MDJ - Lehigh
Daniel W. Davis - MDJ - Mercer
Daniel C. DeAntonio - MDJ - Blair
Deborah Lancos DeCostro - CP Judge - 
Beaver
Sharon J. Downer - Budget Analyst - 
Finance
Janine Edwards - President Judge - 
Wayne
Nicholas E. Englesson - MDJ - 
Northampton
Lisa R. Ferrick - MDJ - Erie
Christiann O. Flanigan - MDJ - 
Westmoreland
Vincent W. Furlong - CP Judge - 
Philadelphia
Lisa J. Gaier - MDJ - Bucks
Susan M. Gindlesperger - MDJ - Cambria
James B. Glass - MDJ - Clearfield
Andrew Goldberg - MDJ - Delaware
Annie Ramona Gomez Shockey - MDJ - 
Franklin/Fulton
Wayne B. Gongaware - MDJ - 
Westmoreland
Dirk A. Goodwald - MDJ - Beaver
James J. Haggerty, Jr. - MDJ - Luzerne

Garrett J. Harper - Assistant Court 
Administrator - Beaver 
Jonathan W. Heisse - MDJ - Lancaster
Nathan A. Henning - MDJ - Fayette
John A. Hipple - MDJ - Chester
Larry J. Hurley - MDJ - Bradford
Albert M. Iacocca - MDJ - Chester
Carissa L. Johnson - MDJ - Berks
Hanif L. Johnson - MDJ - Dauphin
Shanese I. Johnson - CP Judge - 
Philadelphia
Benjamin F. Jones - MDJ - Blair
John J. Joyce - Deputy Court 
Administrator, Municipal Court/Civil - 
Philadelphia 
Christopher D. Kalacinski - MDJ - Potter
Keith G. Kibler - MDJ - Clinton
Devon J. Killian - Active Directory and 
Exchange Server Technician - IT
John P. Kobistek - MDJ - Allegheny
Daniel J. Konieczka - MDJ - Allegheny
Amber M. Kraft - CP Judge - York
Daniel J. Kresge - MDJ - Monroe
Viktoria Kristiansson - CP Judge - 
Philadelphia
Suzan Leonard - MDJ - Montgomery
Eric R. Linhardt - CP Judge - Lycoming 
Ashley M. Lonzetta - Accountant - 
Finance
Angela Sobol Lowry - Problem-solving 
Courts Administrator - JDOP
Brian K. Marshall - CP Judge - Centre
Edward M. Marsico - CP Judge - Dauphin
Kevin L. McCausland - MDJ - Armstrong
Casey M. McClain - MDJ - Centre
Chase G. McClister - CP Judge - 
Armstrong
John J. McNally - CP Judge - Dauphin 
Alan Mege - MDJ - Northampton
Jacqueline J. Mizerock - MDJ - Jefferson
Joseph M. Morris - MDJ - Clearfield
Royce L. Morris - CP Judge - Dauphin
Julia K. Munley - CP Judge - Lackawanna
Brandon P. Neuman - CP Judge - 
Washington
John Benjamin Nevius - CP Judge - Berks
Mary A. Odem - MDJ - Mercer
Danielle M. O’Connor - Deputy Court 
Administrator, Court Reporter/
Interpreter Services - Philadelphia 
David F. O’Leary - MDJ - Dauphin
Mikhail N. Pappas - MDJ - Allegheny
Michael J. Passiment - Judicial Programs 
Analyst - JDOP
Melissa T. Pavlack - CP Judge - Lehigh
Jesse D. Pettit - MDJ - Washington
Kathleen J. Prendergast - CP Judge - 
York 
Nicole O. Pressel - Budget 
Administrator - Finance
Jodie E. Richardson - MDJ - Lancaster 
Wendy G. Rothstein - CP Judge - 
Montgomery
Megan M. Ruffaner - Assistant Court 
Administrator - Butler
Daniel W. Rullo - CP Judge - Somerset
Jeffrey S. Saltz - CP Judge - Montgomery
Michael P. Sanderson - MDJ - 
Cumberland
Eric M. Schrantz - MDJ - Carbon
George E. Seig - MDJ - Lackawanna
Zachary C. Shaffer - CP Judge - 
Philadelphia
Mitchell P. Shahen - CP Judge - Beaver
James P. Silvis - CP Judge - 
Westmoreland

Jeffrey A. Sneeringer - MDJ - York
David L. Spurgeon - CP Judge - 
Allegheny
Brian K. Strand - MDJ - Berks
Lindy L. Sweeney - MDJ - York
Eric J. Taylor - MDJ - Berks 
Michael W. Thatcher - MDJ - Allegheny
Michael P. Toomey - MDJ - 
Northumberland
Jeffrey G. Trauger - CP Judge - Bucks 
Danielle N. Travagline - MDJ - Monroe
Stella M. Tsai - CP Judge - Philadelphia
Brian J. Tupper - MDJ - Luzerne
Clyde W. Vedder - CP Judge - York
Ferris P. Webby - MDJ - Luzerne
Laurie A. Weiss Mikielski - MDJ - Erie
Christopher S. Welch - MDJ - Indiana 
Richard H. Welsh - MDJ - Montgomery
John J. Whelan - CP Judge - Delaware
Matthew S. Wolf - Judge - Philadelphia 
Municipal Court
Tina J. Woodley - Assistant Court 
Administrator - Blair 
Vivian I. Zumas - MDJ - Northampton
Raymond F. Zydonik - MDJ - Forest/
Warren

Other Changes

Dudley N. Anderson - CP Senior Judge - 
Lycoming
Ronald E. Antos - Senior MDJ - Mercer
John W. Barron - Senior MDJ - Cambria
Bruce F. Bratton - CP Senior Judge - 
Dauphin
Rodney R. Beck - Senior MDJ - Lehigh
Christine Fizzano Cannon - Judge - 
Commonwealth Court
Ellen H. Ceisler - Judge - Commonwealth 
Court
Douglas R. Chambers - Senior MDJ - 
Jefferson
Timothy M. Clark - Senior MDJ - 
Bradford
Richard S. Dougherty, Jr. - Senior MDJ - 
Cumberland
Kim D. Eaton - Administrative Judge - 
Allegheny
Walter F. Gadzicki, Jr. - Senior MDJ - 
Montgomery
Thomas M. Gauby - Senior MDJ - Berks
Theodore J. Giglio - Senior MDJ - 
Lackawanna
Leslie Gorbey - CP Senior Judge - 
Lancaster
Raymond L. Hamill - CP Senior Judge - 
Wayne
James L. Hawkins - Senior MDJ - 
Clearfield 
Jay J. Hoberg - CP Senior Judge - 
Lancaster 
Richard A. Ireland - Senior MDJ - 
Clearfield
Harry E. Knafelc - CP Senior Judge - 
Beaver
Jolene G. Kopriva - CP Senior Judge - 
Blair
Mark R. Krahe - Senior MDJ - Erie
JoLana Krawitz - Senior MDJ - Monroe
Deborah A. Kunselman - Judge - Superior 
Court
Benjamin Lerner - CP Senior Judge - 
Philadelphia
Nicholas S. Lippincott - Senior MDJ - 
Delaware

14

Gregory M. Mallon - CP Senior Judge - 
Delaware
Richard E. McCormick, Jr. - CP Senior 
Judge - Westmoreland
Maria C. McLaughlin - Judge - Superior 
Court
James S. Miner - Senior MDJ - York 
Mary P Murray - Judge - Superior Court 
James J. Narlesky - Senior MDJ - 
Northampton
Carolyn H. Nichols - Judge - Superior 
Court
Thomas G. Parisi - President Judge - 
Berks
Larry G. Pentz - Senior MDJ - Franklin/
Fulton
Lillian H. Ransom - Senior Judge - 
Superior Court
David B. Rishel - Senior MDJ - Lawrence 
Christopher J. St. John - CP Senior 
Judge - Mercer 
Phyllis R. Streitel - CP Senior Judge - 
Chester
James F. Tupper - Senior MDJ - Luzerne 
Douglas R. Weimer, Jr. - Senior MDJ - 
Westmoreland
Richard S. Wilt - Senior MDJ -Huntingdon
Robert G. Yeatts - President Judge - 
Mercer

Retirements/Resignations

Karen Blackburn - Problem-Solving 
Courts Administrator - JDOP
Mary A. Cercone - MDJ - Allegheny 
Elizabeth R. Creavey - IT Support 
Manager - IT
Wendy D. Dennis - MJD - Fayette Thomas 
R. Dobson - CP Judge - Mercer Gina L. 
Earle - Communications Assistant - 
Court Administrator
Merle L. Ebert, Jr. - CP Judge - 
Cumberland
Janet C. Fasy - Deputy Court 
Administrator - Philadelphia
Ronald W. Folino - CP Judge - Allegheny 
Peter E. Freed - District Court 
Administrator - Erie
Jaime L. Hansen - Purchasing Specialist - 
Administrative Services
Arthur J. Heinz - Communications 
Coordinator - Communications 
Maria A. Ilgenfritz Heinz - Administrative 
Assistant - JDOP
Andrew M. Hladio - MDJ - Beaver Thomas 
S. Hunt - Network Systems Specialist- IT
John S. Kennedy - CP Judge - York 
Joanne V. Kline - MDJ - Bucks
Jordan M. Kohler - Accountant - 
Finance
Michael P. Lowe - Systems Trainer - IT 
James P. Mac Elree, II - CP Judge - Chester
Martha Keller Masson - District Court 
Administrator - Cameron/Elk Theodore 
P. Michaels, Jr. - MDJ - Chester Madeline 
M. Shea - Deputy Court Administrator - 
Blair

Terms Expired

Jeffrey P. Auker - MDJ - Blair
Charles W. Baum - MDJ - Bucks
Glenn S. Carlson - MDJ - Forest/Warren

Ester J. Casillo - MDJ - Montgomery
Dominick D. DiPaolo - MDJ - Erie
Robert P. Dzvonick - MDJ - Allegheny
James C. Ellis - MDJ - Washington
Damon J. Faldowski - CP Judge - 
Washington
Christy H. Fawcett - CP Judge - York
Anthony D. Fluegel - MDJ - Monroe
Victor M. Frederick IV - MDJ - Berks
Rodney H. Hartman - MDJ - Lancaster
John E. Hasay - MDJ - Luzerne
Todd F. Kelly - MDJ - Blair
Thomas King Kistler - CP Judge - Centre
Jill L. Koestel - CP judge - Berks
G. Paul Manzi - MDJ - Erie
John D. McBride - CP Judge - Beaver
Daniel K. McCarthy - CP Judge - Lehigh
Thomas E. Olsen - MDJ - Monroe
Craig E. Ormsby - MDJ - Blair
Michael G. Shaw - MDJ - Bradford
Christine Solomon - Traffic Court
Judge - Philadelphia Municipal Court/
Traffic Court
George M. Thachik - MDJ - Indiana
Peter P. Tozer - MDJ - Delaware
John I. Waltman - MDJ - Bucks
Delores G. Weiss - MDJ - Potter
Thomas H. Xavios - MDJ - Berks
George A. Zozos - MDJ - Dauphin

Committees, Boards  
and advisory Groups

Anita LaFrance Allen - reapptd. to 
Continuing Judicial Education Board of 
Judges
John A. Barbour, Esq. - designated vice 
chair to Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for 
Client Security Board
Andrew Barnes - apptd. to Interbranch 
Commission for Gender, Racial & Ethnic 
Fairness
R. Stephen Barrett - designated vice
chair to Juvenile Court Procedural 
Rules Committee
Keelin S. Barry, Esq. - apptd. to Advisory
Council on Elder Justice in the Courts
Elizabeth S. Beckley - designated vice
chair to Judicial Conduct Board
Daniel I. Booker, Esq. - designated chair
to Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for
Client Security Board
P. Kevin Brobson - designated chair to
Judicial Conduct Board
Daniel E. Butler - apptd. to Minor Court
Rules Committee
Brian Cali, Esq. - designated vice chair
to Disciplinary Board
John Cleland - reapptd.  to Continuing
Judicial Education Board of Judges
Daniel J. Clifford, III - designated vice
chair to Domestic Relations Procedural
Rules Committee
John Cordisco, Esq. - reapptd. to
Disciplinary Board
Mandy L. Culhane, Esq.- apptd. to
Judicial Conduct Board
John Dawe - apptd. to Interbranch
Commission for Gender, Racial & Ethnic
Fairness
Kim D. Eaton - apptd. to Domestic
Relations Procedural Rules Committee 
and Juvenile Court Procedural Rules 
Committee
David R. Fine, Esq. - reapptd. to Board of
Law Examiners

James Fitzgerald, III - designated 
co-chair emeritus to Pennsylvania 
Commission on Judicial Independence
William Gonzales, Esq. -  apptd. to 
Interbranch Commission for Gender, 
Racial & Ethnic Fairness
Julian E. Gray, Esq. - apptd. Orphans’ 
Court Procedural Rules Committee
Barbara E. Griffin, Esq. - apptd. to 
Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client 
Security Board
Jim Haggerty, Esq. - reapptd.  to 
Disciplinary Board
Scott M. Hollander, Esq. - apptd.to 
Juvenile Court Procedural Rules 
Committee
Renee Cohen Jubelirer - designated co-
chair to Pennsylvania Commission on 
Judicial Independence 
Maureen Lally-Green - reapptd. to 
Continuing Judicial Education Board of 
Judges
Jerry Lehocky, Esq. - apptd. to 
Disciplinary Board
Doug Leonard - designated chair to 
Disciplinary Board
Lucille Marsh, Esq. - reapptd. to 
Domestic Relations Procedural Rules 
Committee
Michael P. Martin - apptd. to Judicial 
Conduct Board 
Albert H. Masland - reapptd. to 
Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client 
Security Board
Renee D. Merion, Esq. - apptd.to Juvenile 
Court Procedural Rules Committee
Nina Wright Padilla - apptd. to Judicial 
Conduct Board
Wayne Pecht, Esq. - apptd. to Advisory 
Council on Elder Justice in the Courts
David S. Pollock, Esq. - apptd. to 
Domestic Relations Procedural Rules 
Committee
Dion Rassias, Esq. - apptd. to 
Disciplinary Board
Edward Reibman - reapptd. to 
Continuing Judicial Education Board of 
Judges
Thomas P. Rogers - reapptd. to Juvenile 
Court Procedural Rules Committee
Mary Catherine Scott, Esq. - apptd. to 
Advisory Council on Elder Justice in 
the Courts
Jennifer R. Sletvold – designated chair 
to Juvenile Court Procedural Rules 
Committee
Cheryl A. Sobeski-Reedy, Esq. - reapptd. 
to Juvenile Court Procedural Rules 
Committee
Lisa Kronenfeld Steindel - designated 
secretary to Judicial Conduct Board
Albert P. Veverka, Esq. - apptd. to 
Committee on Rules of Evidence
Eugene A. Vittone, II. Esq. - apptd. to 
Advisory Council on Elder Justice in 
the Courts
George W. Wheeler - apptd. to Domestic 
Relations Procedural Rules Committee

15

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