Douglas Farnham Attends First Meeting as PA Turnpike Commissioner
Douglas Farnham Attends First Meeting as PA Turnpike Commissioner
Washington County resident confirmed by State Senate as PTC commissioner
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Douglas Farnham, a business owner and a resident of McMurray, Washington County, attended his first meeting as a Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) commissioner today. Commissioner Farnham was appointed to the position by Governor Josh Shapiro and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate 49-0 on Sept. 18. He assumes the seat held for 14 years by Pittsburgh businessman William K. Lieberman.
“It is an honor to have been nominated and confirmed, and I look forward to helping the PA Turnpike continue to be a leader in innovation,” Farnham said. “I was taught at a young age to ‘work hard and be kind’ and that lifelong lesson will be my guide as I collaborate with the Shapiro Administration, state lawmakers, my fellow commissioners, and PTC executives to advance the goals of the PA Turnpike and help lead ‘America’s First Superhighway’ into a bright and sustainable future.”
With a new commission member attending his first meeting, commissioners reorganized the board’s leadership structure, reelecting State Secretary of Transportation Michael Carroll as Chair of the PA Turnpike Commissioner and Dr. Keith Leaphart as Secretary Treasurer. Pasquale T. (Pat) Deon Sr. was elected as Vice Chair.
“Doug Farnham brings a unique blend of business and entrepreneurial experience to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Board of Commissioners, and we welcome his addition to our team,” Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Michael Carroll said. “The PA Turnpike has been a leader in transportation from the day we opened, and Doug will be a key voice in ensuring the Turnpike remains an innovator in supporting the Commonwealth and national mobility and commerce.”
Farnham is Founder/CEO of Farnham & Pfile Engineering Inc. in Monessen, Westmoreland County. Since 1990, the company has been a recognized leader in the design, construction and repair of coal processing plants. He also runs Farnham & Pfile Rental and Sales in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, which he started in 1986.
Farnham, who was born in Lackawanna County, has also been a leader in advancing the energy industry. He is vice-chairman of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, an initiative to educate the public and policymakers about the coal industry in Pennsylvania. He also created Vision 4 Pa, which promotes a clean energy future from fossil fuels produced in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission was created by the state legislature in 1937 to construct, finance, operate, and maintain the more than 565-mile PA Turnpike system, which first opened to traffic on Oct. 1, 1940. Four commissioners appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate, plus the secretary of transportation, serve on the commission for four-year terms. Farnham joins Secretary Carroll, Vice Chair Deon, Secretary Treasurer Dr. Leaphart and Commissioner Sean Logan on the five-member commission.
A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.
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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com
Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com