New PennFuture CEO is former deputy secretary at DCNR

• Katie Colaneri
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  Katie Colaneri is a reporter for StateImpact Pennsylvania and WHYY in Philadelphia covering energy and the environment. Before joining StateImpact, Katie worked as an investigative and enterprise reporter at WBGO in Newark, New Jersey. She covered some of New Jersey's biggest stories including the devastation and aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, as well as the day-to-day triumphs and struggles to revitalize state's largest city. A native of New Jersey with roots in South Central Pennsylvania, Katie holds a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College.

One of Pennsylvania’s most prominent environmental groups has hired a former deputy secretary with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to take the helm.
PennFuture announced Cindy Dunn will serve as president and CEO of the organization. She previously served as DCNR’s deputy secretary for conservation and technical services, overseeing the department’s technical grants programs and geologic research bureau.
Dunn replaces George Jugovic Jr. who came in following the sudden resignation of longtime president and CEO Jan Jarrett. A former regional chief at the state Department of Environmental Protection, Jugovic announced he would be stepping down last June. At the time, he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he thought it was important that the organization’s leader be based in Harrisburg.
Dunn is a resident of Cumberland County and grew up just north of the state capitol. She says her experience in state government will benefit PennFuture’s mission.
On the subject of natural gas drilling, Dunn told StateImpact Pennsylvania the group will continue to focus its efforts securing legislative support and funding for alternative energy sources.
“One thing we’ll be paying a lot of attention to is policy and funding to really support green energy,” Dunn said. “Meanwhile, the gas is here and it does have impacts.”
PennFuture is one of several environmental groups pressing DCNR for more information about proposed plans to drill under Loyalstock State Forest. Dunn says her predecessor George Jugovic will continue working on that and other government transparency issues as a member of PennFuture’s legal staff.

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