Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf Wednesday announced three more cabinet choices: John H. Quigley for Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection; Cindy Dunn for Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and Sharon Minnich as Secretary of the Office of Administration.
“Pennsylvania must take better advantage of its energy resources, such as the Marcellus Shale, to jump-start the new energy economy, energize our manufacturing sector, and modernize our infrastructure,” said Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf. “The natural gas industry must be a key component of any plan for Pennsylvania’s future, but we also must ensure that we take advantage of this resource in a way that benefits all Pennsylvanians, safeguards the health of our citizens, and protects our water and environment. John Quigley has the experience to lead the Department of Environmental Protection, and working with him, I know we can develop this industry for the future while also protecting our environment and bringing greater oversight and transparency to the process.
“Pennsylvania’s State Parks and State Forests are unique assets that should be better preserved, protected, and utilized by our citizens,” Wolf continued. “While previously at Conservation and Natural Resources, Cindy Dunn led a conservation landscape program that provided tens of millions of dollars annually for conservation and recreation throughout the commonwealth. Cindy has the experience to develop new programs and new policies that increase access to these invaluable assets and enhance our State Parks and State Forest facilities.”
“One of my top priorities is making sure we are finding ways to make state government more efficient and that we are looking for cost-savings measures. Sharon Minnich has extensive experience in state government in the areas of administration, information technology, budget, tax and revenue, and procurement. She led the implementation of a new financial shared services model for Pennsylvania, reduced purchase order invoice processing in the Office of the Budget, which led to significant personnel savings, and successfully executed Pennsylvania’s tax amnesty project, which exceeded expectations and collected $261 million,” Wolf concluded. “Sharon is well-suited to oversee and ensure comprehensive coordination among state agencies.”
John H. Quigley, Department of Environmental Protection
From 2009 to 2011, John Quigley served as secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He was instrumental in creating a national model — an advanced, collaborative, interagency approach to recreation, conservation, and community enhancement around specific regional landscapes. He also led the efforts that re-engineered DCNR’s grant program, creating a user-friendly, efficient online system that emphasizes green practices.
Quigley also oversaw the completion of the country’s first high resolution digital statewide map (PAMAP) which is being used extensively by energy companies and other businesses, public safety agencies, planners, state agencies, and by the federal government in updating statewide floodplain maps.
Quigley is currently the principal of John H Quigley LLC. From 2009 to 2011, Quigley served as secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Prior to his appointment as secretary, he worked for DCNR in several capacities, including overseeing strategic initiatives and operations, and as chief of staff.
Quigley has had a diverse career in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, including eight years as the mayor of the City of Hazleton, government relations manager with Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future, and management positions with industry-leading companies.
He is a graduate of Bloomsburg University with a degree in economics, and holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Lehigh University.
Cindy Dunn, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Cindy Dunn is a former deputy secretary at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, where she led the department’s Conservation Landscape program and oversaw the community conservation partnerships grant program, which provides $30 to $60 million annually for conservation and recreation throughout the Commonwealth. She also worked closely with local communities to revitalize local parks and trails.
Cindy’s experience makes her well-suited to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s huge opportunity to continue to grow these sectors of the economy through a revitalized State Park and State Forest system.
Cindy Dunn is currently president and chief executive officer of PennFuture. Previously, Dunn served as deputy secretary of conservation and technical service for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
In that capacity, she led DCNR’s Conservation Landscape program and oversaw the community conservation partnerships grant program, which provides $30-$60 million annually for conservation and recreation throughout the Commonwealth.
Dunn served in various roles at DCNR including leading the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation as well as the Office of Communications, Education and Partnerships.
Prior to joining DCNR, Dunn served as the executive director of Audubon Pennsylvania from 1997-2003, and was the Pennsylvania program director for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay for 10 years.
Dunn was also the director of community relations during the Ridge administration when the agency was formed.
Dunn holds a master’s degree in biology from Shippensburg University. She and her husband, Craig, reside in Cumberland County.
Sharon Minnich, Office of Administration
Sharon Minnich has extensive experience in state government and is well-versed in issues including budget and finance, tax and revenue, procurement, administration, and information technology.
Minnich has led efforts at the state to improve operations, and she managed significant process and system changes, as well as oversaw the implementation of a new financial shared services model for Pennsylvania, the implementation of Pennsylvania’s tax amnesty project, which collected $261 million, and the state’s ERP implementation.
While in the Office of Budget, Sharon reduced purchase order invoice processing from 45-60 days to approximately 7 days, which resulted in approximately 30 percent processing savings.
Minnich has extensive experience in state government in the areas of administration, information technology, budget, tax and revenue, and procurement.
She has served as the assistant chief information officer for the Commonwealth; chief information officer for the Department of Revenue; deputy secretary for financial administration in the Governor’s Office of the Budget; and deputy secretary for procurement at the Department of General Services.
In these roles, Minnich improved operations and managed significant process and system changes. She led the implementation of a new financial shared services model for Pennsylvania, the implementation of Pennsylvania’s tax amnesty project, and the state’s ERP implementation.
In addition to her work in state government, Minnich, 45, has worked as a consultant in the private sector, specializing in procurement and technology. Her experience includes positions at Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Meridian Bank, SAP Business Consulting, Phoenix Consulting Services and Deloitte Consulting, LLP, where she is currently employed.
Minnich has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Albright College and a Master’s Degree in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.
