Pedro Cortés
| Pedro Cortés | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | |
|
Assumed office January 20, 2015 Acting: January 20, 2015 – June 2, 2015 |
|
| Governor | Tom Wolf |
| Preceded by | Carol Aichele |
|
In office April 2, 2003 – June 10, 2010 |
|
| Governor | Ed Rendell |
| Preceded by | Michael Weaver |
| Succeeded by | Basil Merenda |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 28, 1966 Carolina, Puerto Rico, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Lissette Lizardi |
| Children | 1 daughter |
| Education |
University of Massachusetts, Amherst (BA) Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg (MPA) Pennsylvania State University, Carlisle (JD) Pennsylvania State University, University Park |
Pedro A. Cortés (born May 28, 1966) is the current Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (the position known as Secretary of State in many other jurisdictions).
As Secretary, Cortés leads the Pennsylvania Department of State. The mission of the Department is to promote the integrity of the electoral process, to support economic development through corporate filings and transactions, and to protect the health and safety of the public. The Department accomplishes its mission by furthering the highest standards of ethics and competence in the areas of elections, campaign finance, notarization, professional and occupational licensure, charitable solicitation, and professional boxing, wrestling and mixed martial arts.
Cortés is the Commonwealth’s Chief Election Official. By statute, the Secretary is also the Chairperson of the Navigation Commission for the Delaware River and its Navigable Tributaries, 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.
Cortés earned his Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a Master in Public Administration from Penn State University, and a J.D. degree from Pennsylvania State University - Dickinson Law. He also holds a certificate in Public Sector Human Resources Management from The Pennsylvania State University and Doctorate Degrees honoris causa from King's College, Harcum College and Widener University School of Law.
In 2004, Cortés was one of 40 state leaders from across the country selected to participate in the Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by The Council of State Governments. His peers elected him 2004 Class Representative.
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Wikipedia