From the office of Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett 1/17/2014
Harrisburg – Governor Corbett today announced that he will nominate Bill Green and Farah Jimenez to the Philadelphia School Reform Commission (SRC.) As the governing body of the School District of Philadelphia, the SRC is responsible for setting the policy direction of the school district to accelerate the academic achievements of its students.
“I firmly believe that all students deserve a safe, high-quality education that will help them succeed,” Corbett said. “Bill Green and Farah Jimenez are strong civic leaders who share my commitment to putting our students first. I am confident that they will bring a high level of passion, energy and spirit of service to support Philadelphia students and perform the critical work of the School Reform Commission.”
Corbett’s nomination of Green will fill the vacancy created by Pedro Ramos’ departure last October. Corbett’s nomination of Jimenez will fill the vacancy that will be created by the expired term of Joseph Dworetzky. Both positions, which are unpaid, require Senate confirmation and each are for a term of five years.
Corbett also announced today that he will name Green as chairman of the SRC after Green’s nomination to the panel is confirmed.
“Bill has demonstrated leadership abilities with a passion for education that will guide him in his service as Chairman of the SRC,” Corbett said. “We will work together to ensure a brighter future for Philadelphia students.”
Green, a Democrat Councilman-at-Large on the City Council of Philadelphia, graduated from Auburn University before obtaining his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. After obtaining his law degree, he founded several businesses, represented top Fortune 500 companies and start-ups as a corporate lawyer, and served as president of VistaScape Security Systems. He is currently Of Counsel at Duane Morris LLP. Green resides in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia with his wife, Margie, and their two children.
Green’s father, William J. Green III, was a member of the U.S. House, Chairman of Philadelphia’s Democratic City Committee, and Mayor of Philadelphia, and his grandfather, William J. Green, Jr., was a Congressman and Chairman of Philadelphia’s Democratic City Committee.
“Superintendent William Hite and the School Reform Commission are working to build a system of public schools that has adequate resources as well as the policies in place for students and teachers to thrive,” Green said. “I am both honored and humbled to have the opportunity to join them in their essential work.”
Since 2010, Jimenez has served as the President and CEO of the People’s Emergency Center (PEC), a comprehensive social services agency that serves women and children experiencing homelessness, as well as the larger West Philadelphia community, through housing, case management, and counseling services and five on-site education centers that develop parenting, life skills, employment, financial literacy and technology skills.
http://www.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
