Erik Arneson will become the new executive director of the Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records Gov. Tom Corbett announced Friday.
Arneson will replace Terry Mutcher, the office’s first director who is stepping down to join the law firm Pepper Hamilton in Philadelphia where she will head a government transparency practice.
In 2006, Arneson joined the staff of Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R- Delaware County) as communications and policy director. There, he helped develop the Right-to-Know Law and the office of Office of Open Records.
“Erik has my 100 percent support,” Pileggi said in a statement. “He is eminently qualified for the position, and this appointment is well deserved.”
Arneson also worked on the passage of the Good Samaritan Law for drug overdoses, which offers immunity to drug users who call 911 when someone is overdosing, as well as updating the state’s Library Code. He has also served as the spokesman for the Senate Republican Caucus.
“Erik’s policy, legislative and communications skills are a perfect fit to lead Pennsylvania’s efforts to maintain open and transparent government response to its citizenry,” Corbett said in a statement.
Arneson will serve a six-year term with a $140,000 salary set by the executive board.
He is a graduate of Temple University and lives in Cornwall Borough, Lebanon County.
