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Governor Corbett to Nominate Brian Duke as Secretary of Aging

"Brian Duke has devoted more than a decade of his career to improving the lives of our seniors," Corbett said. "His knowledge, experience and compassion will be a tremendous benefit to Pennsylvania."

Duke is currently the director of the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging where he oversees more than 20 programs helping older adults remain as independent as possible, an annual budget of $12 million and a network of neighborhood centers to promote the well-being of older adults. As part of his position, Duke also advocates with local, state and federal legislatures on the formation of policy and legislation.

Before taking his position in Bucks County, Duke was the Executive Director for the New Jersey Foundation for Aging, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for older adults throughout New Jersey. Prior to that, Duke served as a consultant working with the U.S. Administration on Aging and the AARP Foundation in the development of statewide caregiving coalitions in 12 states. He also co-chaired the Caring Community, a coalition of over 100 organizations convened by WHYY, the public broadcaster serving the greater Philadelphia region.

Duke received his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Scranton, his Master of Health Administration from George Washington University and his MBE in bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania.

The Department of Aging oversees many services and benefits to older Pennsylvanians and advocates for their interests at all levels of government.

Pennsylvania has the third-highest percentage of elderly residents in the nation.

There are approximately 2.5 million Pennsylvanians over the age of 60, with more than 302,000 over the age of 85. One in five older Pennsylvanians lives in or near poverty and more than 200,000 are identified as members of a minority group.

For more information about the Department of Aging, visit www.aging.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Kevin Harley, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Aging