Governor Tom Corbett has nominated Beverly D. Mackereth as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Mackereth has been serving as Acting Secretary since February.

She will oversee the Department of Public Welfare, which employs approximately 16,000 workers and has a budget of more than $28 billion in state and federal dollars. The department provides services and supports to approximately 2.3 million vulnerable citizens in Pennsylvania.

“Bev’s energy and compassion, combined with her experience in human services and expertise in government, make her the perfect choice for this position. Bev has been successfully managing the department in an acting capacity and I am confident she will continue to serve the commonwealth exceptionally well,’’ Corbett said.

Mackereth, 55, of Spring Grove, joined the department in 2011 when the governor appointed her deputy secretary of the Office of Children, Youth and Families. She has been serving as acting secretary since February 2013.

“I am honored and humbled by Governor Corbett’s confidence in my abilities to lead this department,” Mackereth said. “I have always had a passion for serving the people of Pennsylvania and helping those who need it most, and this position will allow me to do that each and every day.”

After graduating from college, Mackereth has spent her professional career in public service, and has significant experience in health and human services. She began her career working at the York County Blind Center and the York County Children and Youth Services, overseeing investigations of alleged child abuse and neglect. The experience led her to work with crime victims through the York County District Attorney’s Office and with the state Office of Attorney General.

Former Gov. Tom Ridge then appointed Mackereth as deputy director of the Governor’s Community Partnership for Safe Children, to assist communities in
establishing effective programs to reduce childhood violence. She then was the executive director of the Healthy York County Coalition with WellSpan Health System.

Mackereth also served as mayor of Spring Grove until 2000, when she was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In the legislature, Mackereth served on the Education, Children & Youth, Aging & Older Adult Services, Judiciary, and Health & Human Services committees.

In 2008, Mackereth was named executive director of the York County Human Services Department, supervising a number of county agencies including aging, mental health, mental retardation, early intervention, drug and alcohol, veterans affairs and homeless assistance.

The position requires confirmation by the Pennsylvania Senate.