To: STATE EDITORS

Contact: Chuck Ardo of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 16/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today named John Blake as acting secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development following the resignation of Secretary Dennis Yablonsky, effective Oct. 24.

Blake has served as DCED's executive deputy secretary since February 2007 where he has been responsible for the daily administration and operational oversight of the department. He has more than 25 years of experience in housing, community, and economic development in the public and private sectors.

Prior to his DCED appointment, Blake was the director of Governor Rendell's Northeast Regional Office where, for four years, he served as the primary liaison to local government and to the business and economic development community in 15 counties of northeast Pennsylvania.

"John's portfolio of experience, achievement and practical savvy that he brings to the position will serve Pennsylvania's business and communities well as we face challenging economic times," said Governor Rendell. "I am confident John will help us to build upon the track record of outstanding achievements of DCED."

Prior to joining the administration, Blake worked as vice president and senior development advisor for PNC Bank's northeast and central Pennsylvania markets, where he helped manage and grow a $35 million portfolio of community development loans and investments; served as the primary community development advisor; and served on the PNC Foundation's allocation committees in both markets.

In 1998 Blake was selected from among 9,000 applicants nationwide to serve a two-year Community Builders Fellowship with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Philadelphia. In that capacity, he represented HUD to 17 eastern Pennsylvania counties marketing HUD programs and monitoring contracts for compliance and performance.

He also served as executive director for the Lackawanna County Redevelopment Authority where he secured and leveraged more than $50 million in federal, state and private investment for housing, public works and infrastructure improvement projects to support business and job growth over the course of 15 years.

He holds a number of professional affiliations, including service with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, the Advocacy Alliance, the Great Valley Technology Alliance, and the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority.

Blake, a lifelong resident of Archbald, is a graduate of Villanova University and holds master's degrees from Marywood College and the University of Scranton. He is married with two children.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses.To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:

Chuck Ardo

717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

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