Pennsylvania’s new Secretary of Community and Economic Development George Cornelius appears to have a stride that stretches across the state and a perspective that extends well beyond the commonwealth’s borders.
Notably, he has a substantial background in international business. He was the chief executive responsible for North, Central, and South American operations of the global diversified chemical company Arkema. He also knows the law. Before running an international enterprise, Cornelius advised executives as a corporate attorney with the Pittsburgh-based firm Eckert, Seamans, Cherin & Mellott. And as a student of the part of politics that is always local, he’s remained a life-long resident of the Keystone State after mounting his career on an education at Penn State University and Dickinson School of Law.
In announcing Cornelius’ appointment, Governor Ed Rendell linked his choice for DCED secretary to the role of foreign investment in Pennsylvania. Over the last three years, investors in other parts of the world placed a total of $484 million in projects in the state, an inflow of capital connected to plans to create 4,900 jobs.
“I am excited about the opportunity to help strengthen the state’s competitiveness and facilitate the generation of 21st century jobs,” Cornelius said.
Responsible at Arkema for a variety of business operations, including those focused on research and technology investments, Cornelius takes over a state organization that exists in large part to promote new investment. For that job, there are benchmarks the governor noted, including 20 percent growth between 2002 and 2007 in state domestic product, which the governor placed at $531 billion and paired with a jump in exports from $5.8 billion to $30 billion. Over a period of six years, Pennsylvania has welcomed $13.8 billion in new investment and enjoyed the creation of 115,400 new jobs.
“George can help us push forward with our Energy Independence Strategy, which is essential to our nation’s effort to break its dependence on foreign oil and usher in a cleaner, greener economy,” Rendell said.
Source: DCED, Michael Smith
Writer: Joseph Plummer
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