Fish and Boat Commission executive director retires
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Peter A. Colangelo has announced his retirement from his post effective June 9. Colangelo has served as head of the agency since his appointment in October 1994.
According to Commission President William Sabatose, “Pete Colangelo has served the anglers and boaters of Pennsylvania with great distinction. The remarkable accomplishments of his nearly nine years as agency head include overseeing construction and financing of a new agency headquarters, reorganization of the agency staff and imposition of strict fiscal controls that have allowed us to stretch the anglers’ and boaters’ dollars for many years. In recent years, Pete and the Commission have confronted the challenge of finding new sources of funding to address infrastructure needs, and he has been tireless in seeking support for new funding initiatives. On behalf of all the Commissioners, and the anglers and boaters of Pennsylvania, I want to thank Pete for his outstanding service.”
Commission Vice-President Paul Mahon noted that “I was president of the Commission when we hired Pete Colangelo as executive director, and I have been constantly impressed by his attention to detail and his caring, compassionate approach to management. Pete is a real people person, and he’s always ready to go the extra mile to help staff and work with Commissioners. Under Pete’s leadership, the Commission finally found a home, and he had the foresight to build our new headquarters.”
“It has been my great honor to serve as Executive Director of this outstanding agency for nearly nine years. The time has passed quickly, no doubt in part because of the immense amount of work the agency has accomplished in the last nine years. The outstanding commitment of the Commission’s employees has made our successes possible. I am extremely appreciative of their efforts, loyalty, dedication and support. There is still much to be done, but I leave knowing that the fine men and women of the Commission are up to the task at hand if they are provided the resources they need to be successful,” Colangelo observed.
“The Fish and Boat Commission needs better funding. In particular, there is a critical, unmet need for a stable, long-term source of funding for the infrastructure that supports fishing and boating. Raising awareness of that issue has been one of my highest priorities the last several years. In parting, then, it is my strong hope that the General Assembly and administration take action sooner rather than later to ensure the future of fishing, boating and outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania.”
Colangelo came to the Commission in 1994 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District, where he served 34 years. As Executive Director, Mr. Colangelo served as the chief executive officer of the PFBC, an independent agency established in 1866. Colangelo was the eighth person to serve as Executive Director of the Commission. His eight years and eight months of service in the position make him the second longest serving Executive Director since that position was established by law in 1949.