West Chester (July 13, 2023) – Eric D. Ruggeri of East Bradford was appointed to the Pennsylvania Board of Funeral Directors, state Senator Carolyn Comitta said this week.
Ruggeri, who has been involved in public safety in the West Chester area for the last 40 years, was nominated to the board as a public member by Governor Josh Shapiro at Comitta’s recommendation. The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously voted to appoint Ruggeri to the board on June 29.
Currently employed as a police officer locally in the West Chester area, Ruggeri previously worked in the funeral industry for 20 years, mostly in Chester County.
“Eric brings a breadth and depth of experience in the funeral industry and public safety to the board,” Comitta said. “We appreciate his service. And I thank the governor for nominating him and my Senate colleagues for approving his appointment.”
The State Board of Funeral Directors regulates the licensure and practice of funeral directors in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The board’s functions include the formulation of necessary rules and regulations for the proper conduct of the business or profession of funeral directing in order to safeguard the interests of the public and the standards of the profession.
In addition, the board fixes the time and place for the examination necessary to obtain a license and, through its authorized inspector, conducts inspections of funeral homes.
“I look forward to serving on the board which interacts with every licensed funeral home and funeral director licensee across our great Commonwealth,” Ruggeri said of his appointment. “And an additional heartfelt thank you to Senator Comitta for recognizing me for the position as well.”
Ruggeri was one of 35 Pennsylvanians approved by the state Senate to serve on 21 of the state’s 29 professional licensing boards and commissions.
“The people serving on these licensing boards play a vital role in helping preserve Pennsylvania’s economy and in protecting the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians,” Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said. “Adhering to rigorous professional licensing standards protects the public from fraudulent and unethical practitioners while also helping people stay employed.”
Each of the Commonwealth’s licensing boards and commissions has between seven and 17 members, including professionals in those fields and everyday Pennsylvanians who represent the public at-large. And each board has its own statute governing its powers and functions. The Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) provides the 29 boards and commissions with legal and administrative support.
Professionals interested in applying for appointment to a licensing board should send a letter stating their interest, including the desired board, as well as a current resume or bio that includes an email address and phone number, to RA-STBOARD-MEM-CAN@pa.gov or to the Governor’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs / Office of Boards & Commissions, 508-E Floor, Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
Interested professionals should also contact their state senator to obtain a letter of support for their appointment to a licensing board.
Any Pennsylvanian interested in serving as a public member on any licensing board or commission should send the same information to the above-listed locations and should also obtain a letter of support for their board appointment from their state senator.
For a list of Pennsylvania’s professional licensing boards and commissions, visit dos.pa.gov.