Secretary
Michael DiBerardinis
Gov. Edward G. Rendell has named Michael DiBerardinis to serve as the second
secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
Mr. DiBerardinis oversees the state agency created in 1995 to manage the
state’s parks and forests; administer grant programs to benefit
rivers, trails, greenways, local recreation and regional heritage; and
provide information on the state's geologic resources.
Prior to being named as secretary for DCNR, Mr. DiBerardinis served as
Executive Director of the Campaign for Working Families, a program at
the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia providing free filing assistance,
support and counseling for eligible families to acquire public benefits
and access to information and programs on financial literacy.
Before working with the Campaign, Mr. DiBerardinis was the Vice President
of Programs for the William Penn Foundation. In this position, he oversaw
the $60 million annual grant-making programs in the Philadelphia region
while developing and coordinating the Foundation’s strategic planning
process and evaluation system.
Mr. DiBerardinis’ long history of public administration includes
serving as Recreation Commissioner to the city of Philadelphia from 1992
to 2000, where he organized the work of 600 staff persons and 160 facilities,
including parks, ball fields, swimming pools and Veterans Stadium. During
his tenure as Recreation Commissioner, Mr. DiBerardinis significantly
expanded programs and services.
Prior to his service in municipal government, he served as Chief of Staff
for Congressman Thomas Foglietta from 1986 to 1991, where he supervised
five Philadelphia offices; managed relationships with businesses, unions
and constituent groups in the district; and crafted positions and policies
on issues including housing, Central America and the conversion of the
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.
Active in civic and community organizations, Mr. DiBerardinis serves
on the Board of Directors of the New Kensington Community Development
Corporation and the Wynnefield Overbrook Revitalization Corporation.
Mr. DiBerardinis has a bachelor of arts in political science from St.
Joseph’s University. He lives in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia
with his wife, Joan Reilly, and their children Gabriele, Justin, Maura,
and Daniel. He enjoys fly-fishing, bird watching and learning the Italian
language.
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