HARRISBURG – When the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) holds its quarterly business meeting in early October, the newest board member will bring to his first meeting a diverse background in government service, higher education, private sector experience and local conservation.
It’s a mix G. Warren Elliott believes will benefit the agency as it develops its next five-year strategic plan.
“I have been interested in fishing and boating, conservation and protecting our natural resources for most of my adult life,” said Elliott, a resident of Chambersburg, Franklin County, who took his oath of office last month as one of the Commission’s two at-large boating representatives. “I also have a keen interest in public administration, experience I want to use to assist my fellow commissioners, the agency leaders and their employees as we craft the strategic plan.
“Strategic planning is a fundamental principal of any business and is particularly important to government entities, which are entrusted with taxpayer money or, in our case, with money from anglers and boaters. It’s a tremendous responsibility,” he added.
Elliott knows a lot about local government. From 1996-2007, he served as a Franklin County commissioner and as the chairman of the board. He also taught state and local government as an adjunct professor at Shippensburg University, one of the Commonwealth’s 14 state universities. Elliott earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in public administration at Shippensburg.
Elliott added these responsibilities to an already busy career in the private sector as a regional representative for General Code Publishers, which provides a variety of products and services to municipal governments, businesses and educational institutions. Just recently, Elliott and a former
Franklin County commissioner launched Cardinal Crossings to offer governmental consulting and marketing services.
In his free time, Elliott is an avid kayaker and boater, having spent time on some of the
Commonwealth’s largest and most popular waters, including Lake Erie and its tributaries, Allegheny River, Kinzua Dam, Raystown Lake, the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers, and Kettle, Pine and Yellow Breeches creeks.
In addition to boating, Commissioner Elliott has taken an active role in conservation efforts in Franklin County. He helped draft the county’s latest Comprehensive Plan, conducted the county’s first natural areas inventory and assisted with the development of the county’s first open space and recreation plan. In addition, he helped establish the Franklin County Eco Park, secured funding for the restoration of Indian Lake and helped create a fishing video for the Franklin County Visitor’s Bureau. He has held positions on the boards of directors for the Pennsylvania State Farmland Preservation Board, Franklin County Conservation Board, Franklin County Area Development Corporation and the Farmers and
Merchants Trust Company.
“Pennsylvania is a beautiful state with remarkable natural resources,” Elliott said. “The fishing and boating opportunities are endless. I have enjoyed waterways and aquatic resources my whole life and I want to ensure future generations can enjoy them as well. The Fish and Boat Commission is charged with securing those resources and I want to use my knowledge and experience to help them do just that.”
For more information about current Commissioners, visit the PFBC Web site at www.fishandboat.com, select “About the PFBC,” then “Commissioners.” The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our Web site at www.fishandboat.com.