Mary Conturo to leave roles with Sports & Exhibition Authority, Pittsburgh Stadium Authority

Mary Conturo said Friday she will be leaving her positions as executive director of the Sports & Exhibition Authority and Pittsburgh Stadium Authority after about two decades on the jobs.

“We are enormously grateful to Mary for her 18 years of skilled leadership as the authorities’ facilities were developed,” said state Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline, chairman of the SEA board. “That work has supported the economic growth and development of southwestern Pennsylvania.”

The SEA and Stadium Authority operate in cooperation with each other, having the same executive director and same staff.

The SEA owns and leases PNC Park, Heinz Field and PPG Paints Arena and operates the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, as well as owning two parking facilities, riverfront parks and co-owning the Lower Hill District redevelopment site. The Stadium Authority owns surface lots and two parking garages on the North Shore.

Conturo worked to “ensure that those assets are used to position us to compete globally for visitors, residents and investment in jobs,” Fontana said.

Conturo will continue to serve as executive director until her successor is appointed. The authorities said they will begin searching for the person who will fill her role in the coming weeks.

“People like Mary, who for the most part work behind the scenes, are hidden civic treasures whose contributions to the Pittsburgh and Allegheny County community will endure for generations to come,” said Stanley Lederman, chairman of the Pittsburgh Stadium Authority.

Conturo became special counsel for the authorities in 2001. She was named executive director of both authorities in April 2004.

During her tenure, she oversaw the Interstate 579 cap project reconnecting the Hill District with Downtown and development of authority-owned land between the stadiums on the North Shore.

“A little over 20 years ago, our community established a goal of creating and maintaining world-class venues to provide sporting, entertainment and convention events,” Conturo said. “With a modern, fully green convention center, three state-of-the-art sports facilities, associated parking structures and public parks, all open for business, the authorities have made great progress towards that goal and are in a good position to secure new leadership with a new viewpoint and perspective to maximize the impact of those assets.”