The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission again has tapped Allegheny County for a top administrator, announcing Friday that Jennifer Liptak, county manager under former county Executive Rich Fitzgerald and his successor Sara Innamorato, has been named SPC’s deputy executive director/chief operating officer, effective June 10.
In her new role, Liptak will lead a team of 50 staff members and report directly to Fitzgerald, who was named SPC’s executive director at the end of three terms as Allegheny’s chief executive.
“Over the last decade, a lot of the economic success and transformation that Allegheny County has experienced can be largely attributed directly to Jennifer’s strategic leadership, collaborative management style, and her ability to get things accomplished,” Fitzgerald said. “From the success of the airport, investing in infrastructure, rehabilitating bridges, the vibrancy of the trails and parks, and making the county government’s operations more efficient, Jennifer has been instrumental in bringing these initiatives to fruition.”
The SPC director said his former and future colleague “will be able to use her outstanding qualities and experiences to support the 10-county region with its transportation, infrastructure, economic, workforce, and quality of life priorities.”
Regionally, those counties include Indiana, Armstrong and Westmoreland, as well as Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties in which SPC is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization, local development district and economic development district.
Liptak stayed on with Innamorato’s administration to support them over the last six months during the transition from Fitzgerald’s administration. The Allegheny County Manager position serves as the chief administrative officer for the county, and is appointed by the County Executive.
Along Grant Street, where Allegheny County government is centered in downtown Pittsburgh, Liptak has had a public service career spanning two decades. She started out in 1998 as an employee of the county’s Office of District Attorney where she later became finance manager.
In 2004, she joined the Office of Allegheny County Council as budget director, then moved when Fitzgerald was elected as county executive to serve as his chief of staff, a position she held throughout his entire tenure.
Liptak’s ties extend into west-central Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a minor in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She also earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public and International Affairs as well as a professional certification in Personnel and Labor Relations Management.
She also attended Duquesne University’s School of Leadership and Professional Advancement, earning a professional certification in Advanced Accounting. Liptak is also a graduate of the F.B.I. Citizens Academy and the Harvard School of Business’ Young American Leaders Program.
SPC is in the midst of the comment period for the draft 2025-28 Transportation Improvement Program, a proposed outline of specific initiatives which in turn will be part of a 25-year Long-Range Transportation Plan for the region.
The 2025-28 draft TIP contains over $4.5 billion in investment for transportation and infrastructure projects, as already detailed at public meetings in Indiana, Beaver, Westmoreland, Armstrong, Allegheny, Fayette and Washington counties, as well as one in the City of Pittsburgh.
Further hearings are slated May 29 in Greene County, June 3 in Butler County and June 4 in Lawrence County. The public comment period continues until June 7.
Those who didn’t attend a hearing can still provide comments, thoughts, suggestions, or questions about transportation projects by:
- Completing an online form at spcregion.org
- Sending a letter to Southwestern PA Commission, Attn: Ronda Craig, 42 21st Street, Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
- Emailing comments@spcregion.org.
View the full article at indianagazette.com.