Pittsburgh Government Leadership: Major Changes Afoot

PITTSBURGH, PA —Mayor-elect Corey O'Connor has wasted little time in carving out the shape of his incoming administration.

O'Connor on Thursday announced two major moves. He will appoint Dan Gilman as his chief of staff and nominate Sheldon Williams as director of public safety. Williams' nomination must be approved by city council.

“We need to hit the ground running on day one, so we need leadership that knows the city, knows the residents, and knows how to get things done,” O’Connor said in a statement. “I’ve known Dan for nearly 20 yearsand we served on City Council together. I know his commitment to our communities and I know he can guide a seamless transition.”

Glman, 43, of Squirrel Hill currently serves as chief of staff and senior advisor to Duquesne University president Ken Gormley. Prior to his appointment at Duquesne, he served as chief of staff to former Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.

He was responsible for the city's day-to-day operations, including management of its 3,400-member workforce, the city's legislative agenda, strategic communications and community engagement strategy.

Gilman also is a former city council member.

Williams is a former Pittsburgh paramedic who also spent 13 years with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, where he was a member of the SWAT team and bomb squad as an expert in tactics and explosives. He obtained certifications in areas of public safety that include fire, Hazmat and EMS.