Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey nominates department heads, appoints development officer

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Monday announced his nominees to lead the departments of Innovation & Performance and City Planning, as well as his appointment for Chief Economic Development Officer.

Gainey nominated Heidi Norman, acting director of the Department of Innovation & Performance, to take on the role permanently.

He also nominated Karen Abrams, who has worked for The Heinz Endowments and the city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority, to run the Department of City Planning.

Both nominations will need confirmation from City Council.

Gainey also appointed Kyle Chintalapalli as the city’s chief economic development officer, effective January 31. He previously worked with the Urban Redevelopment Authority and Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.

If confirmed as director of Innovation & Performance, Norman would be responsible for maintaining and securing the city’s technology infrastructure and overseeing the 311 response center. She also would collaborate with all other city departments to ensure city services are convenient and accessible to Pittsburgh residents.

Abrams, if confirmed as the director of City Planning, will oversee Pittsburgh’s efforts to establish and sustain a consistent approach to land use “that incorporates sustainability, city design, resilience, equity and opportunity,” the mayor’s office said.

She previously served as program officer for equitable development for The Heinz Endowments. Before that, she was the community and diversity affairs manager at the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh.

Deputy Director of City Planning Andrew Dash will work with Abrams, supporting efforts to develop the city’s comprehensive neighborhood plans. He’ll also work in zoning and development review, sustainability and resilience and public art and civic design. Dash previously served as the department’s director.

As chief economic development officer, Chintalapalli will guide development efforts. He previously served as vice president of business and economic development for the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, where he led business investment and attraction activities. Before that, he worked as chief strategy officer for the URA and served as senior advisor to the executive director and department directors for major projects and initiatives.

“All of these individuals bring a wide range of experience in and outside public service, a deep commitment to making government work better and a strong investment in building a Pittsburgh for all,” Gainey said.

Gainey previously appointed Jake Pawlak as director of the Office of Management and Budget and deputy mayor. He appointed Jake Wheatley, formerly a state representative, as his chief of staff, with Felicity Williams as his assistant chief of staff. Lisa Frank was appointed chief operating and administrative officer.