Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Gets a New Chairman

Wednesday, January 3, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell appointed PJ Stapleton as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), following the resignation of Chairman Jonathan Newman.  Newman resigned, effective January 12, after serving as PLCB chairman the past 4 1/2 years.  In recent remarks, he has been highly critical of Rendell's creation of a PLCB CEO position, to which the Governor then appointed former state Senator Joe Conti.  In his letter of resignation, Newman took issue with the lack of process in the creation of the position and the appointment.  Before Mr. Stapleton can assume the responsibility of Chairman, he must first be confirmed by the Pennsylvania State Senate.  Mr. Stapleton has served on the PLCB since 1997.