Basil L. Merenda became Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth on June 12, 2010, and continues to serve as the Commissioner of the Department’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth administers the Department of State. The Department protects the public's health, safety and welfare by licensing over 800,000 business, health and real estate professionals; maintaining registration and financial information for thousands of charities soliciting contributions from Pennsylvanians; overseeing Pennsylvania's electoral process; maintaining corporate filings; and sanctioning professional boxing, wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts in the Commonwealth.
By statute, the Secretary is the Chairperson of the Navigation Commission for the Delaware River and its Navigable Tributaries, Chairperson of the Board of Property, and a member of the Board of Finance and Revenue, the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Board and the State Athletic Commission. The Secretary is the keeper of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth and has the duty of authenticating government documents through the seal's use. Acting Secretary Merenda is also the Commonwealth's Chief Election Official.
Since joining the department in 2004 he has held various positions, including Deputy Secretary of Regulatory Programs and Commissioner of the department’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA). Governor Rendell nominated him as commissioner on Jan. 5, 2004; he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on March 16, 2004. As commissioner, he is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day functions of the bureau, which administers the commonwealth's 29 professional licensing boards and commissions.
Prior to his work with the Department of State, Acting Secretary Merenda served as Deputy Attorney General for the state of New Jersey, with emphasis on antitrust and financial crimes. He also served as legal counsel to the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1776 in Norristown, Montgomery County, from 1987 to 1993.
Acting Secretary Merenda has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including the Honored Guest Award of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association in 2009 for services to the Osteopathic Profession; the John Heinz Friend of Nursing Award presented by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association in 2008; a Certificate of Appreciation from the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants in 2009; and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary celebration.
A native of Philadelphia, Acting Secretary Merenda was inducted into the Alumni Achievers Hall of Fame of St. John Neumann High School in Philadelphia in 2006. In addition, he served as a member of the Mayor of Philadelphia’s Commission on Neighborhoods from 1986 – 1992.
Acting Secretary Merenda earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Villanova University, a master’s degree in economics from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from Villanova University Law School.
He currently resides in Philadelphia County.
