Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey names 1st appointments to his administration

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Tuesday announced the first appointments to his mayoral administration, naming Jake Pawlak as deputy mayor and state Rep. Jake Wheatley as chief of staff.

Pawlak, who served as Gainey’s transition director, will be appointed as the director of the Office of Management and Budget. He will assume the role in an interim capacity until City Council approves his appointment.

After Pawlak is confirmed, Gainey said he plans to appoint him as deputy mayor. In that post, Pawlak will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day work of all city departments.

“As my administration works to make an equitable Pittsburgh for all, we need someone with experience, vision and strong commitment to public service to lead the Department of Office of Management and Budget,” Gainey said of Pawlak. “Jake has had a distinguished career and brings the right expertise to help my administration meet its long-term goals.”

Pawlak previously served as the program director for the Pennsylvania Alliance Foundation and has held roles with the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from the University of Pittsburgh.

“With the support of City Council, I look forward to working with the mayor and other department leaders to fulfill the promise of making Pittsburgh a city that works for everyone,” Pawlak said.

Wheatley will become Gainey’s chief of staff, effective Feb. 1. He is the longest-serving Black member of the state House and serves as the chair to the House Professional Licensure Committee, which oversees the 29 professional boards and commissions that set the standards for the commonwealth’s workforce.

Wheatley also has been an advocate for minority- and women-owned businesses, equitable education and social and criminal justice reforms.

Also Tuesday, Gainey announced that Lisa Frank will be appointed chief operating and administrative officer, effective immediately.

Frank previously served as the executive vice president for strategic campaigns at SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, a union for health care workers.

Felicity Williams has been appointed assistant chief of staff, effective immediately, Gainey said.

Williams previously served as the programs and policy manager and special assistant to the president and CEO of the Hill Community Development Corporation. She has also worked for criminal justice and education reforms and voter engagement in the Pittsburgh region.