Darrell Clarke Named Chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

​​Harrisburg - Governor Josh Shapiro announced today that Darrell Clarke is the new chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). Clarke replaces outgoing chairman Tim Holden, whose term expired yesterday, Thursday, Nov. 21.

"For almost 91 years, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has worked to benefit the Commonwealth by regulating the beverage alcohol industry, serving as a responsible retailer and wholesaler, promoting responsible consumption and alcohol education, and generating significant dollars for state and local coffers," said Darrell Clarke. "I have committed my life to public service and I am honored that Governor Shapiro has entrusted me with this position. I look forward to continuing to serve our Commonwealth."

Already during his PLCB tenure, Clarke served as a member of the Stop-and-Go Legislative Task Force, created by Act 49 of 2023 to research the laws and issues surrounding stop-and-gos and make recommendations for effectively regulating them. The Stop-and-Go Legislative Task Force recommendations await legislative consideration and action.

Clarke, a resident of Philadelphia, was nominated to the PLCB by Governor Shapiro on Sept. 1, 2023, and was confirmed to a four-year term by the state Senate on Feb. 8, 2024. A product of Philadelphia public schools, Clarke grew up in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. He began his service to North Philadelphia as a community activist and was eventually recruited to serve as a constituent service representative for a member of Philadelphia City Council in 1980. Clarke rose to become the member's chief of staff before being elected to represent the Fifth District. In 2012, Clarke became Philadelphia Council president, the second-most powerful position in the sixth-largest city in the country. He remained Council president until January 2024.

During his years on Council, Clarke advanced an agenda that included initiatives to increase affordable housing opportunities, preserve neighborhoods, reform government, improve efficiencies, reduce poverty, prevent violence, increase public safety, increase public education funding, provide tax relief for homeowners and property owners, support energy and sustainability efforts, create job opportunities, and modernize Council's staff's technical abilities.

Clarke served as Philadelphia Council's budget chairman, leading public review and discussion before the adoption of the City's annual budget. Despite topping $6 billion, City budgets were always on time and balanced during Clarke's tenure.

Outgoing chairman Tim Holden, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, was named chairman of the PLCB by Governor Tom Wolf on Feb. 17, 2015. He was first nominated to serve on the PLCB by Governor Tom Corbett in June 2013. He was subsequently renominated in 2016 and 2020; each time, Holden was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate.

"I want to personally commend Tim Holden, not just for his work on the PLCB, but for his lifetime of honorable and dignified service to the people of Pennsylvania and the country," Governor Shapiro said.

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates about 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits - totaling nearly $20.3 billion since the agency's inception - are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania's schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit lcb.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT: Shawn M. Kelly, 717.303.8522

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