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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2019

Pennington Appointed Executive Director of PCCD

Harrisburg, PA. — The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) announced today that Michael Pennington was named by Governor Tom Wolf to serve as Executive Director of the agency.  Before this appointment, Pennington served as the Director of PCCD's combined Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and Office of Criminal Justice System Improvements (OCJSI).

"I am deeply honored and excited to fill this leadership opportunity at PCCD," Pennington said. "I look forward to continuing the great work of our Commission, Advisory Committees and staff as we implement the wide variety of programs, services and funding opportunities we provide as a state agency."

Pennington previously served as the director of PCCD's OJJDP from 2005 to 2013 and 2016 to present.  The Office oversees the administration of state and federal funds to support programs to improve the state's juvenile justice system and to prevent violence, substance abuse and other problem behaviors among children and youth. 

While in his role, Pennington received the Tony Gobar Outstanding Juvenile Justice Specialist Award by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ), which was presented to him during the CJJ's National Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 20, 2019.

Pennington has also served as the OCJSI Director since 2018.  The Office coordinates with all levels of criminal justice agencies to identify their issues, develop statewide policies and programs, and implement solutions that enhance public safety.  As part of this Office Director position, Governor Wolf appointed him in August 2019 to serve as Pennsylvania's representative to SEARCH, which is a national body of state-level professionals in the criminal or juvenile justice system.

Derin Myers, who served as Acting Executive Director for over three years since the departure of Linda Rosenberg, will resume his position as Director of the Office of Financial Management and Administration.

 "I cannot stress enough how much Derin and staff of PCCD should be commended for all that the agency has been able to accomplish over the past few years," Pennington said.  "I look forward working in partnership alongside our team to ensure that we continue to meet that standard of excellence over my tenure."

Our Mission is to enhance the quality, coordination and planning within the criminal and juvenile justice systems, to facilitate the delivery of services to victims of crime, and to increase the safety of our communities.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Kirsten Kenyon, (717) 265-8505