Power Moves: Rich Fitzgerald has a new gig, CMU and Ansys named an engineering chair, and TALI picked the 2024 Emerging Leaders Program cohort

Rich Fitzgerald has a new gig

Come January, Sara Innamorato will be sworn in as Allegheny County’s new county executive. But before the outgoing County Executive Rich Fitzgerald passes the baton, he’s announced his next position: executive director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

Fitzgerald will be running the federally designated planning organization in charge of deciding how the government should invest in the 10 counties surrounding Pittsburgh, per the Tribune’s reporting. That includes deciding how state and federal transportation funding should be used, and creating economic opportunities for the region.

Fitzgerald said the new position will be a continuation of his commitment to the region.

“I look forward to putting my skills and relationships to work for all 10 of our counties,” the exec said in a statement. “Together, we will continue to concentrate on infrastructure, communication, economic development, workforce and quality of life issues for our region.”

Ansys and Carnegie Mellon University appointed a professor to use Ansys software to train the next generation of engineers

Carnegie Mellon University and Ansys, the Canonsburg-based simulation software company, have named Dr. Rebecca Taylor as the Ansys Career Development Chair in Engineering.

Taylor, an associate professor in mechanical engineering at the university, will be tasked with teaching CMU students mechanical engineering concepts using Ansys’ structural simulation technology, and helping them to integrate Ansys solutions into research projects and curricula. Taylor said she believes this will better prepare students for a bright future as engineers.

“My lab is working to address the advanced manufacturing challenges that will enable the combination of both top-down engineering processes with bottom-up engineering processes,” Taylor said in the announcement. “Using Ansys software in my lab and classroom will help prepare my students to use self-assembly as a powerful tool for advanced manufacturing.”

PA has a new chief information security officer

James Sipe was chosen to be the State of Pennsylvania’s new chief information security officer. He started the role at the end of November. This role manages cybersecurity for the Commonwealth’s IT systems and data. The CISO’s office also works with local governments to improve their cybersecurity.

Sipe was previously the security practice leader for strategic accounts at Amazon Web Services. Before that, he held multiple IT and compliance roles, including VP of compliance and IT security for MessageBird.

“I am excited to bring my 20-plus years of experience leading, advising, and working on cybersecurity and compliance for some of the world’s largest companies to my new role as CISO for the Commonwealth,” Sipe said in a written statement. “I look forward to building on the strong foundations of collaboration and leadership that are already in place to keep Pennsylvania at the forefront among states for cybersecurity.”

The Advanced Leadership Institute and CMU picked the 2024 Emerging Leaders Program cohort

The 2024 Cohort of TALI’s Emerging Leaders Program. (Courtesy Emerging Leaders Program)

The Advanced Leadership Institute, aka TALI, has announced the 2024 participants for the Emerging Leaders Program’s newest cohort. The program was launched in 2021 to help Black professionals in Pittsburgh to advance their careers. The institute has worked closely with Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business to develop programming, while also collaborating with the University of Pittsburgh, Robert Morris University and Duquesne University.

Last year, the cohort included members who worked at institutions such as the Allegheny Health Network, UPMC and PNC. For the latest cohort, individuals from the likes of United Way of SWPA, Highmark Health and American Eagle Outfitters will receive instruction that will set them up for success inside and outside of the city.

“The Emerging Leaders Program plays an important role in helping define the future of corporate Pittsburgh — and in creating greater diversity and inclusion; we are giving these emerging leaders the tools to continue creating success stories throughout our communities,” TALI President and CEO Evan Frazier said in a written statement.

The class of 2024 includes:

• Alena Anderson — Director, Moving Toward Financial Stability, United Way of SWPA
• Ariell Antonio — Counsel, Highmark Health
• Jenn Bejin- Manager — Vendor Partnerships, Supplier Diversity & Strategy, Giant Eagle
• Blessy Bellamy — Senior Clinical Study Manager, Highmark Health
• Brandon Davis — Community Space Coordinator, ACTION-Housing
• Eric Giles — Performance Materials Scientist, Covestro
• Amstrid Gomez — QA Analyst, American Eagle Outfitters
• Asraiel Harewood — Officer Director/Senior Project Manager, Carnegie Mellon University
• Marla Hines — Senior Systems Analyst, FHLBank Pittsburgh
• Sharnel Jackson — Employee Relations Area Manager, PNC
• Chris Johnson — Print and Fulfillment Strategist, UPMC
• Jean-Pierre Nsanzabera — Senior Cloud Architect, UPMC
• Joseph Oyatta — Senior Audit Manager, PNC
• Seth Phillips — Vulnerability and Compliance Engineer, Wabtec Corporation
• Charles Potter — Assistant Business Development Leader, Giant Eagle
• Travis Roache — Digital Product Manager, PPG
• Derrick Shoffner — Sr. Director of Programs & Services, Vibrant Pittsburgh
• Tuesday Simok — Universal Service Analyst IV, Duquesne Light Company
• Deja Starks — Inventory Planner, American Eagle Outfitters
• Waris Wade — Area Manager, Koppers
• Rashana White-Bey — Merchandise Operations Specialist, American Eagle Outfitters
• Jennifer Whitley — Executive Special Projects Manager, Allegheny County Housing Authority

More Power Moves

• CMU Professor of Engineering and Public Policy Erica R.H. Fuchs has been appointed to oversee the management of the National Semiconductor Technology Center. The center will be responsible for “supercharging” chip technology and innovation ecosystems throughout the country.
• Gridwise and Bosch, are collaborating to offer rideshare drivers a software called RideCare Companion, which will monitor their rides and give them the option of sending out an SOS for help in the event of an emergency.
• County Executive-Elect Innamorato announced her transition team last week, and you might recognize some familiar names from Pittsburgh’s tech and business community. Among them are Allegheny Conference on Community Development Chief Growth Officer Matt Smith and Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance Executive Director Megan Shaw, who will both serve on the Strong and Equitable Economic and Community Development Committee.