The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition, founded in 2005, represents the interests of real people and organizations who seek access to government records and proceedings.
It participated in writing the state’s Right-to-Know law in 2008 and has served a critical need in the early and sometimes contentious years of an era of expanded rights of citizen access in Pennsylvania.
PaFOIC members include engaged citizens, activists, librarians, attorneys, educators, community group leaders and journalists.
In January 2007, the PaFOIC became a member of the National Freedom of Information Coalition, an alliance of nonprofit, state FOI and First Amendment organizations and academic centers concentrating on First Amendment-related issues.
Today, with the worst of the Right-to-Know growing pains behind us, the PaFOIC looks towards productive partnerships with local and state governments to help facilitate citizen access by deploying the latest technology and best practices.
It is developing a library-based citizens’ training program, a county bar association partnership to provide highly technical Continuing Legal Education credits for practicing lawyers, and a schools-based curricula on citizenship and the democratic principles of transparency.
The PaFOIC continues to facilitate an online Forum and the matching of lawyers to access-seekers in need of counsel. And it is regularly asked to participate in amicus briefs on important access matters of first impression in Pennsylvania courts.
Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition
Board of Directors
Susan Schwartz | President
Reporter • Press-Enterprise • Bloomsburg • susan.schwartz@pressenterprise.net, 570-387-1234 ext. 1306
Pennsylvania Chair, Sunshine Week
Shane Fitzgerald | Vice President
Executive Editor • Bucks County Courier Times • Levittown
Jeanette Krebs | Treasurer
Managing Editor • Bravo Group • Harrisburg
Cate Barron | Director
Vice President of Content • PA Media Group • Harrisburg
Chair, Membership Committee
Michael Berry | Vice President
Partner • Ballard Spahr • Philadelphia
Kim DeBourbon | Director
Sally Hale | Director
Director of Regional Media • Associated Press • Philadelphia
Richard K. Honaman Jr. | Director
Director of Pennsylvania Division • Signature Information Solutions, LLC
Chair, Finance Committee
Donald Gilliland | Director
Contributors Editor • The Hill • Washington, D.C.
Jim Parsons | Director
Assistant News Director • WTAE Channel 4 Action News • Pittsburgh
Terry Mutchler | Director
Partner • Mutchler Lyons • Glenside
Chris Courogen | Director
Michelle Grove | Director
4075 Linglestown Rd. #312
Harrisburg, PA 17112 • 717.461.1766
General Counsel
Craig J. Staudenmaier
Nauman, Smith, Shissler & Hall, LLP
200 North 3rd St. • 18th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101 • 717.236.3010