Jonathan H. Newman was appointed Chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) on August 2, 2002. Newman was first appointed and unanimously confirmed to the three-member board in 1999, and subsequently re-appointed and unanimously re-confirmed by the Senate to a four-year term in June 2002.

Since joining the PLCB, Newman has led the development of several major marketing and alcohol education initiatives. The magazine, Wine Enthusiast, in its December 2003 cover story, named Newman its Man of the Year for his efforts in creating Pennsylvania's profile as a wine-friendly state.

Under Newman's leadership the PLCB has expanded its premium collection stores, introducing competitive prices and broadening the selection of wine offered to consumers. Other important initiatives under his tenure include: Sunday sales hours; enhanced employee training for wine education; opening six Outlet Stores; the launch of an Online Store at www.pawineandspirits.com; creating LCB stores within supermarkets, establishing climate control during all phases of the handling of wine, the introduction of in-store temperature controlled wine rooms; and creating an international wine-tasting competition.

Newman spearheaded the inaugural Philadelphia Wine Festival in 2002 and the inaugural Pittsburgh Wine Festival in 2003. The annual sold-out festivals have attracted many of the world's top winemakers to Pennsylvania, and this year Pennsylvania's Wine Week '04 included the inaugural Central Pennsylvania Wine Festival, in Harrisburg.

Newman is a summa cum laude graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He serves Of Counsel to the Philadelphia law firm of Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell & Hippel.

Newman's civic and charitable activities include:

Newman was born in Philadelphia on January 28, 1962. He lives in Montgomery County with his family.