The Life and Loves of Thaddeus Stevens

Mark Singel was Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania from 1987 through 1995 and, for a period of time, Acting Governor. The only person in Pennsylvania history to serve an extended period as Acting Governor, Singel received high marks for his stewardship. He led the state by enacting the first modern workers' compensation reform package, refinanced the state's park system through the "Key 93" program, and helped launch the high-tech era with landmark telecommunications legislation. He was also instrumental in reducing state and local taxes, the implementation of a statewide 911 emergency phone system, and the creation of thousands of new jobs in recycling and environmental technologies. He was the original author of the state's mortgage assistance bill that has saved 35,000 Pennsylvania homes. Prior to his terms as Lieutenant Governor, Singel served six years in the Pennsylvania State Senate and was chief of staff to two members of the U.S. Congress. Singel ran for U.S. Senate in 1992 and for Governor in 1994. He served as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party from 1995-1998 and was the President of Pennsylvania's Electoral College in January 1997. Upon leaving public service, he founded Singel Associates and later established The Winter Group which is now part of the McNees Wallace family of legal and governmental services. Singel served as chairman of Governor Ed Rendell's Transition Executive Committee and maintains strong personal and political ties with leaders at all levels today. A magna cum laude graduate of Penn State, Singel has served on the Boards of Penn State and St. Francis Universities. He holds several honorary doctorate degrees. He is the author of a book about his service as Acting Governor entitled "A Year of Change and Consequences." Singel is a regular commentator on local and statewide political broadcast programs. He is a sought-after speaker at both political and academic events and is active in numerous community and philanthropic activities. He currently serves as the Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Singel has been married to Jacqueline for over 45 years and has three children and five grandchildren.