Canonsburg, Pa. – The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) today announced the addition of two new staff members — Amber Benzon, director of government affairs, and Robert Petrilli, vice president of finance and administration.

“We’re pleased to welcome Robert and Amber to our staff and into an organization committed to the economic, environmental, and energy security benefits of natural gas production in our region,” said Kathryn Klaber, the MSC’s president and executive director. “With nearly 250 member companies, our coalition continues to expand among producers and suppliers dedicated to responsibly developing shale gas.  It’s a pleasure to add two experienced and dedicated professionals to a talented team of men and women representing a growing industry before stakeholders throughout the five-state Marcellus Shale region.”

Amber Benzon, Director, Government Affairs. Based in Harrisburg, Amber will join the MSC on October 17.  She currently serves as policy director for Pennsylvania’s Department of Health. Prior to joining the department, she spent five years as an associate with a Harrisburg, Pa.-based government relations firm, Greenlee Partners, where she was among the first government relations professionals in the Commonwealth engaged in Marcellus Shale-related policy decisions. Amber graduated magna cum laude from Millersville University, earning dual degrees in International Studies and Spanish.

Robert Petrilli, Vice President, Finance and Administration. Bringing significant executive management experience in high profile companies and projects with him, Robert will be responsible for the MSC’s day-to-day and long-term administrative and financial strategies. He has served as a senior executive at WQED Multimedia, the Pittsburgh G-20 World Summit, Chester Engineers (an MSC member company), the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, and the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, among other organizations. Recognized with a Project Management Institute Project of the Year award, Robert earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business and is an alumnus of Penn State University.

About the MSC: Founded in 2008, the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) is an organization committed to the responsible development of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale geological formation and the enhancement of the region’s economy that can be realized by this clean-burning energy source. The members of the coalition work with our partners across the region to address issues with regulators, local, county, state and federal government officials and communities about all aspects of producing clean-burning, job-creating natural gas from the Marcellus Shale.

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