Melissa A. Frey

Melissa A. Frey was appointed Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Commonwealth on February 2, 2015.

As Special Assistant, Ms. Frey works closely with Secretary Cortes, the Executive Deputy Secretary, Deputy Secretaries, and Chief Information Officer on a variety of special projects and programs, such as continuity of government. She is the liaison within the Department of State to all bureaus as directed by the Secretary. She has a wide range of administrative and managerial duties in support of the Secretary, Executive Deputy Secretary, and the Deputy Secretaries as needed. This includes preparation of a variety of reports, commendations, certificates, memoranda and correspondence including letters of recommendation, reference and communications with Secretaries of State, legislators, the Governor’s Office and officials in the public, private and nongovernmental sectors.

She works in concert with the Director of Communications and Press and the Press Secretary on speeches, press releases, media calls, presentations and text of the Secretary’s testimonies before the Pennsylvania Legislature and U.S. Congress.

Ms. Frey hails from Lancaster County and has a strong background in communications, government, strategy, development, project/event planning, finance and office management. She has a long standing record serving Central Pennsylvania, as well as other areas of the Commonwealth and its governmental operations. She previously served as Special Assistant to former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed and Executive Director for 23 counties in Central PA to former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter. She also divides her time and talents volunteering and serving a number of nonprofit/charitable organizations including the 193rd Special Operations Wing Association.

Melissa attended Harrisburg Area Community College, York College, and the World Wide School of Travel.

Ms. Frey lives in Harrisburg, Dauphin County with her dog Copper.