Resolution 250119

..Title Recognizing and honoring Royal (Gene) E. Brown for his dedicated service to the Philadelphia Gas Commission. ..Body WHEREAS, Gene Brown, a resident of South Philadelphia, has volunteered his time and energy as a Philadelphia Gas Commissioner for over 27 years and as Chairman for the past two years; and WHEREAS, Mr. Brown, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Lehigh University and an MBA in Finance degree from Drexel University, was appointed to the Philadelphia Gas Commission by Mayor Ed Rendell; and WHEREAS, Gene continued to serve on the Gas Commission through Mayors Street, Nutter, Kenney, and Parker; and WHEREAS, As the longest serving current member of the Gas Commission, Mr. Brown assisted the Commission through many complex issues, such as the transfer of ratemaking functions to the Commonwealth, the potential sale of PGW, and many other complex issues; and WHEREAS, During his tenure as a Gas Commissioner and Chairman, Gene has helped to save PGW ratepayers over 321 million dollars ($321,000,000); and WHEREAS, Mr. Brown, is a retired Vice President of treasury services for Independence Blue Cross where he was responsible for the following treasury services activities for Independence Blue Cross and all of its various subsidiaries: Banking Relationships and Systems, Cash Management Activities, Financial Systems and Processes, Corporate Risk Management functions, Corporate Cash Receipts, Accounts Payable, and Payroll; and WHEREAS, Gene has donated countless hours to the betterment of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth through voluntary public service; and WHEREAS, In addition to his service on the Gas Commission, Gene also has volunteered his time at the following organizations: Chairperson of the Greater Philadelphia Health Action (GPHA) which is the largest federally qualified health center in the Philadelphia area, Secretary/Treasurer of Citizens Acting Together Can Help (CATCH) which is a behavioral health care provider in Philadelphia; and President of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Serra Club of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, On January 31, 2025, Gene stepped down from the Philadelphia Gas Commission; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize and honor Royal (Gene) Brown for his impact as Commissioner and Chairman of the Philadelphia Gas Commission. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Royal E. Brown, further evidencing the sincere respect of this legislative body. ..End