Power Moves: The Urban Redevelopment Authority has a new executive director

Power Moves is a column where we chart the comings and goings of talent across the region. Got a new hire, gig or promotion? Email us: pittsburgh@technical.ly.

Susheela Nemani-Stanger feels confident in her new position as the URA’s executive director

As someone who majored in English and creative writing in college, Susheela Nemani-Stanger didn’t originally envision a career in housing and redevelopment. However, as fate would have it, Nemani-Stanger’s first job entailed doing marketing at an architecture planning and engineering firm. While there, she had the opportunity to put together proposals for the redevelopment of public housing sites in Baltimore. This sparked her curiosity and soon she was attending community meetings and visiting housing sights regularly. Now, over 20 years later, Nemani-Stanger has become the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh’s new executive director.

“I am humbled to have the opportunity to lead an organization of human beings who are passionate about our communities and who turn that same passion into thriving projects,” Nemani-Stanger said upon her appointment.

Nemani-Stanger’s career at the URA began in 2007, when she assumed the role of project development specialist. She believes her longevity with the org makes her well equipped to lead it into its next chapter. What could that entail? Everything from addressing the city’s affordable housing needs to continuing its multifamily housing development program. One of the biggest tasks the URA will have to take on, Nemani-Stanger added, is allocating the $70 million the city was awarded through the federal American Rescue Plan.

“We have two years to do it [and] it’s not just about directing the money to those agencies,” Nemani-Stanger said. “A lot of times, we need to also provide the technical assistance that’s needed for that particular agency or organization to actually utilize that funding. So I would say that the biggest thing is making sure that the ARP funding is supporting the community in a meaningful way.”

As executive director, Nemani-Stanger has a lot on her plate — but between her experience, the insight she gained working under her predecessor, and her own ability to listen to community members about their needs, she feels up to the task.

“The position as executive director is one that involves human relations as well as analytical thinking,” Nemani-Stanger said. “And I believe that my experience working at the URA since 2007, advancing various projects throughout the city with various human interests and needs, has really prepared me.”

Aurora has a new president

Ossa Fisher. (Courtesy photo)

This week autonomous vehicle company Aurora announced it had appointed Ossa Fisher as its new president. The Texas-based pro brings 20 years of experience in the business world: She previously occupied positions such as president and chief operating officers for companies such as Istation. With the company gearing up for its commercial launch in 2024, Fisher will play a significant role in strengthening Aurora’s pre-existing partnerships and improving overall efficiency, according to a press release.

“We are on the cusp of an autonomous breakthrough that will transform how people and goods move through the world,” Fisher said. “Aurora’s vision, commitment to safety and world-class partnerships have positioned the company to deliver an autonomous trucking product that will define the industry for years to come. I’m incredibly excited and humbled to join the Aurora team and be part of this journey.”

While the company itself is based in Pittsburgh, Fisher will remain in Dallas when she officially begins the position this month. The reasoning behind the decision is that it allows her to remain close to the work the company does for customers such as FedEx, Uber Freight, Werner, PACCAR and Volvo.

CMU’s Rick Siger nominated by the Shapiro-Davis admin

The Shapiro-Davis administration nominated Carnegie Mellon University’s own Rick Siger to be secretary of Community and Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Siger currently acts as the chief of staff and senior adviser to the university’s president. His future responsibilities would include serving as the department’s chief executive, managing a staff of 300, handling a $300 million budget, and last but not least, acting as a senior advisor to Governor-elect Josh Shapiro on matters such as job creation and community engagement.

“[Governor] Shapiro has said his top priority is to grow our economy and build a better future for all Pennsylvanians,” Siger said in a release. “As secretary in the Department of Community and Economic Development, I will work tirelessly to help our small businesses grow, foster innovation and increase opportunities in forgotten communities across our commonwealth. I am honored to carry out Gov.-elect Shapiro’s vision to help ensure every Pennsylvanian has access to good-paying jobs and an opportunity to thrive as we become a national leader in growth and innovation.”

Ray Roundtree named top executive of Comcast’s Keystone Region

Ray Roundtree. (Courtesy photo)

Ray Roundtree has been tapped to be the new senior vice president of Comcast’s Keystone Region after over 20 years with the company. Roundtree started out his tenure as the director of business operations and, most recently, served as vice president of finance for the company’s Beltway Region. His new responsibilities include overseeing Comcast’s operational, strategic and financial performance across areas in Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and Maryland.

“I’m thrilled to come back to Comcast’s Keystone Region to lead a team that’s creating awesome experiences for our customers and employees,” Roundtree said in a release. “My family and I are grateful to be able to continue my career journey in a part of the country where we have deep roots.”

Michael Hockenberry appointed president of Chorus Call and Compunetix

Chorus Call and Compunetix have announced that Michael Hockenberry will serve as president of both partnered telecommunications companies. Hockenberry’s experience dates back to the 1980s where he worked closely with Compunetix’s founder and CEO Giorgio Coraluppi. Before this latest promotion, Hockenberry rose to the ranks as a federal systems division manager, program manager, sales account manager and senior design engineer.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead this organization and to build upon the solid foundation established by our founder, Giorgio Coraluppi,” Michael Hockenberry said in a release. “I am committed to honoring Dr. Coraluppi’s values of integrity, shared objectives, and intellectual curiosity. I have worked alongside this leadership team for many years and am excited by the opportunity to tackle the next generation of challenges we face. I look forward to building upon our success and continuing to drive growth for the company.”