Nicholas DeBenedictis Honored for Leadership of the Schuylkill Valley Metro Coalition

May 22, 2000
Nicholas DeBenedictis Honored for Leadership of the Schuylkill Valley Metro Coalition BRYN MAWR, Pa. May 22, 2000--Nicholas DeBenedictis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Philadelphia Suburban Corporation recently received the Private Sector Award for Leadership in Transportation at the 10th Annual Meeting of the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association (GVFTMA). At the meeting, GVFTMA recognized the work of the Schuylkill Valley Metro Coalition, which DeBenedictis chairs.

DeBenedictis has served as Chairman of PSC, one of the nation's largest investor-owned water utilities, since May 1993. Prior to joining PSC, he spent three years as Senior Vice President of Corporate and Public Affairs for Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO), a $4 billion nuclear utility. In addition, DeBenedictis held the position of president of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. He also served in two cabinet positions in Pennsylvania government: Secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources and Director of the Office of Economic Development, and was a senior official with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

DeBenedictis received a Bachelor's degree in business administration and a Master's degree in environmental engineering and science from Drexel University. He serves on the Board of Directors for many regional businesses, economic and environmental organizations and has received numerous awards for public service.

The Schuylkill Valley Metro Coalition consists of elected officials, business professionals and citizens who are working to address transportation issues along the 62-mile Schuylkill Valley Corridor by restoring passenger rail service between Philadelphia and Reading.

I am honored to receive this award from this dedicated transportation group and to be involved with an issue that is so important for the future economic and environmental health of our region, said DeBenedictis. By providing rail service between Philadelphia and Reading, we hope to significantly improve the environment by reducing congestion and pollution along the Schuylkill Valley Corridor while at the same time, promote economic development opportunities and easier access throughout the corridor.

The GVFTMA brings together the business community and municipal, county and state officials to collectively work on transportation issues affecting the Greater Valley Forge area.

--30--RV/ph*

CONTACT:
Philadelphia Suburban Corporation
Jennifer Campbell, Communications Specialist
610/645-4213
campbellj@suburbanwater.com