The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Ronald J. Tomalis as Secretary of Education.

Mr. Tomalis was nominated for the post in January by Gov. Tom Corbett. He most recently worked as a director at Dutko Worldwide/Whiteboard Advisors, a lobbying and public affairs firm. He served as an adviser to numerous nonprofit education groups and foundations, along with for-profit education related companies.

Prior to working at Dutko Worldwide, he held various senior management, policy, and operational positions in federal and state government.   From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Tomalis worked for the United States Department of Education, where he managed the implementation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as well as the $25 billion Title I/II programs.
From 1995 to 2001, he served as Executive Deputy Secretary of Education under Governor Tom Ridge.   Mr. Tomalis also served as counselor to the United States Secretary of Education and as Acting Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Prior to joining the United States Department of Education, he was the Executive Deputy Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where he took on the role of Chief Operating Officer for the department.