Barley Snyder attorney Luke T. Weber has been appointed to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s Committee on Rules of Evidence. His role is effective October 1, 2022.
The Committee on Rules of Evidence was formed in 1998 by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to aid and advise the court with issuing general rules governing all court proceedings in the state. The committee provides recommendations to the court regarding evidence law matters by monitoring the application of rules and developments in case law as well as identifying areas in which rules of evidence should be revised or clarified.
Committee members are appointed by the Supreme Court typically for a term of six years. They must be knowledgeable about the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence and have trial court experience. The committee typically consists of a small number of judges and attorneys throughout the state. Hon. Wendy G. Rothstein of Montgomery County has also been appointed at this time.
Weber is a trial attorney in Barley Snyder’s Litigation and Health Care groups and has been involved in more than 100 cases across Pennsylvania in state and federal courts since 2012. He concentrates his practice on defending doctors, hospitals and other health care professionals against medical malpractice claims. He also maintains a commercial litigation practice. Weber currently serves on the board of directors as treasurer for the Lancaster Bar Association.
“It is humbling to have received an appointment from the Supreme Court to serve on the Committee,” Weber said. “The Rules of Evidence are integral to what we do as trial attorneys, and I look forward to working with the Committee and aiding the Court in its ongoing review process.”
Kreamer Feed recently celebrated the company’s 75-year anniversary. Among the 260 attendees was Romayne Kline, who worked at the company that makes bulk feed for commercial farms for nearly 50 years; Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding; U.S. Reps. Fred Keller, of Kreamer, and Glenn “G.T.” Thompson, of Clearfield, and Bob Garrett, president and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Maintaining a family business for nearly eight decades “takes good employees, a great family and good leadership,” said William Robinson, who for several years led the company founded in 1947 by his father, George W. Robinson, before turning the reins over to third-generation family member, Jason Robinson. Company owners also include founder George Robinson’s son, Edward Robinson, board vice chairman, and daughter, Julie Robinson Eriksson, board treasurer.
William Robinson remains active in the business running a subsidiary company, BJE Poultry, which contracts with Pennsylvania farms to grow live poultry, and serving as board chairman of both companies.
Fiscal responsibility, said William Robinson, is another key to the success of the company, which has $135 million in annual sales, a payroll of $6.6 million to support 130 employees and $22 million in mostly local corn purchases.
Kreamer Feed started with a single plant in Kreamer and over the years continued to expand in the Snyder County municipality, but William Robinson said company officials have considered adding a Midwest facility to help curb transportation costs to far West Coast clients.
A stumbling block to that expansion, he said, is finding the right facility that can adhere to Kreamer Feed’s strict standards that includes offering certified organic and GMO-free products.
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that PJM’s Darlene Phillips, Executive Director, Operations Engineering Support – Operations, has been reappointed to the agency’s Electricity Advisory Committee by U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm for a third two-year term. She serves as the vice chair of the Smart Grid Subcommittee.
According to the DOE’s announcement, committee members come from across the energy community, including state and regional entities, utilities, cybersecurity and national security firms, the natural gas sector, equipment manufacturers, construction and architectural companies, nongovernmental organizations, and other electricity-related organizations.
The group reports to the DOE’s assistant secretary for electricity and advises DOE on a variety of electricity issues.
“I am honored to be chosen for a third term on the Electricity Advisory Committee during this critical time of transition in the industry,” Phillips said. “I look forward to continuing to provide perspective and expertise to the Department of Energy in crafting policies that will have long-term impact.”
At PJM, Phillips leads several departments that provide engineering and technical support to PJM’s Energy Management control systems as well as PJM’s vital Control Centers.
Prior to joining PJM, she was a member of the senior leadership team in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s External Affairs Division. She holds a Juris Doctorate from Indiana University School of Law, and a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan.
PJM manages the largest electric power grid in North America and administers the world’s largest competitive market for electricity. It ensures reliable power supplies for 65 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia.