2023-2024 NEOC Featured Speakers
Dr. Vernon D. Franklin, Ed.D.
President,Franklin Consulting & Training Services, LLC | Adjunct Faculty, Community College of Allegheny County
Key Note Speech: Transformation Leadership
With over three decades of experience, Dr. Vernon Franklin has dedicated his professional journey as a practitioner and an educator fueled by a profound commitment to service. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s timeless words — "Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love" (King, 1968) — Dr. Franklin's mission revolves around cultivating a heart full of grace and a soul fueled by love. This ethos drives him to contribute meaningfully in teachable moments, enriching and empowering the lives of others. In higher education, he channel this passion toward fostering institutional inclusion and enhancing technical efficacy for staff, students, and faculty. Through his service, he aspires to create a positive impact, embracing the transformative potential of education to uplift and empower individuals within the academic community.
Dan Santoro
Township Manager, Cranberry Township, Butler County
Role of Municipal Administrators
Dan Santoro has served in a variety of roles both in and outside local government for over 30 years. He was hired by Cranberry Township in 1991, promoted to Planning Director in 1993 and then Assistant Township Manager where he served until 2006. A 10-year break from Cranberry Township saw him take on roles in the private sector before returning to Cranberry in 2017 as Deputy Township Manager. He was appointed the Township Manager in January 2021. A native of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Santoro earned a bachelor’s degree in regional planning from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in public management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Gavin Robb, Esq.
Attorney/Shareholder, Tucker Arensberg, P.C.
Introduction to the Roles and Responsibilities of Elected Officials
Gavin A. Robb is a shareholder at Tucker Arensberg, P.C., and an experienced lawyer providing advice to public sector clients on all aspects of municipal law, including zoning, code enforcement and general governance issues. Gavin is the Solicitor of the Borough of Churchill, the Borough of Brentwood, West Deer Township, the Wilkinsburg Zoning Hearing Board, the Plum Borough Zoning Hearing Board and the North Hills Council of Governments. In addition to municipal law, Gavin represents property owners and developers in the areas of zoning/entitlements/land use and tax assessment matters as well as providing advice regarding corporate and business law issues.
Richard D. Miller, Esq.
Attorney/Shareholder, Campbell Durrant, P.C.
Ten Tips for Elected Officials
Richard D. Miller is a shareholder with the Pittsburgh law firm of Campbell Durrant, P.C. Mr. Miller practices exclusively as a management-side labor and employment attorney, representing both public and private sector employers. Mr. Miller represents clients in virtually every aspect of the employer/employee relationship including labor-management relations, collective bargaining negotiations, labor arbitrations, personnel and human resource consultations, claims of discrimination and other general employment matters. Rich has a law degree from Duquesne University and a bachelors degree from Washington & Jefferson College.
David Mitchell, Esq.
Attorney/Shareholder, Campbell Durrant, P.C.
How Your Budget Can Help You Navigate Through Labor Negotiations
David Mitchell practices labor and employment law as a Shareholder at Campbell Durrant, P.C. David’s practice focuses on negotiating collective bargaining agreements that make employers’ operations more cost effective and efficient, representing employers in arbitration and litigation, and advising employers regarding the Affordable Care Act, FLSA, ADA, FMLA and other employment laws. He has also assisted municipalities and counties with issues related to federal COVID-19 relief under the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act. David has a law degree from Duquesne University, a Masters of Gerontological Studies degree from Miami University, and a Bachelor's degree from Grove City College.
Josh Hausman, Esq.
Campbell Durrant, P.C.
How Your Budget Can Help You Navigate Through Labor Negotiations
Josh graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2012, where he served as a Manager Editor on the University of Pittsburgh Law Review. After law school he served as a judicial law clerk and practiced civil litigation for a Pittsburgh-area firm before joining Campbell Durrant in 2016. Since joining Campbell Durrant, Josh has focused his practice on representing public sector employers in a variety of labor and employment matters including collective bargaining with uniformed and non-uniformed personnel, grievance arbitration, interest arbitration, wage and hour disputes, compliance with federal and state nondiscrimination law, and workplace investigations. Josh also advises clients on employment benefit disputes, including with regard to municipal pension plans under state law.
Gretchen Love, Esq.
Attorney/Shareholder, Campbell Durrant, P.C.
DEI & Local Hiring: What public sector employers need to know
Gretchen began her legal career in the Labor Relations Department of the City of Pittsburgh. She demonstrated early on how to blend practical know-how with sound legal advice. Gretchen focuses her practice on representing counties, municipalities, authorities, school districts and regional police departments in labor and employment matters. She guides employers through the variety of laws and regulations that impact public sector employment. From collective bargaining through the intricacies of the ADA interactive process, Gretchen counsels clients to be patient, strategic and decisive in achieving their goals. There has been no personnel matter too complex or taxing for Gretchen to negotiate.
Gabrielle Campbell, Esq.
Associate Attorney, Campbell Durrant, P.C.
DEI & Local Hiring: What public sector employers need to know
Gabrielle Campbell is an Associate Attorney practicing in the areas of labor and employment law. Prior to joining Campbell Durrant, Ms. Campbell worked as a judicial clerk for President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Family Division.
In 2022, Ms. Campbell graduated from Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law School. Gabrielle is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association and the Homer S. Brown Division - Allegheny County Bar Association.
James Degnan
Director of Environmental Services, Hampton Township
Hampton Township WWTP Improvements - Addressing multiple issues under one project
James is the Director of Environmental Services for the Township of Hampton. With his ten employees, James is responsible for all aspects of the operation of the Township’s 3.2 MGD wastewater treatment plant as well as the 140 miles of sanitary sewer infrastructure. Prior to his position with the Township of Hampton, James was a laboratory technician and was then promoted to Laboratory Manager and Pre-Treatment Coordinator at the McKeesport Municipal Authority. James earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Westminster College. He is certified as a Class A, E, Type 1,2,3,4,5 Wastewater System Operator with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection.
Christopher Lochner
Municipal Manager, Hampton Township
Running Efficient Meetings
Chris Lochner joined the Administrative Staff of the Township of Hampton as Municipal Manager in 1986. Since that time, Hampton has experienced a great deal of housing development and expansion of the Township's infrastructure, including the creation of a $7.5 million Hampton Community Center and athletic fields complex. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in urban studies and geography from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in public administration from Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. In his spare time, Chris enjoys doing things with and for his wife, and children as well, such as jogging / running, watching soccer, high school football, University of Pittsburgh football and basketball, and yes; the best reason for the autumn season, Pittsburgh Steeler football.
Megan Turnbull, Esq.
Attorney, Weiss Burkardt Kramer LLC
Public Officials and Employee Ethics Act
Megan M. Turnbull is an equity partner at Weiss Burkardt Kramer LLC. Megan is an experienced municipal solicitor, who presently serves as legal counsel to the Boroughs of Leetsdale, Seven Fields and McKees Rocks, as well as several Commissions and Authorities. She has a particular focus on blight and redevelopment where she seeks creative, sustainable solutions to improve communities. She has served as Special Blight Counsel to Allegheny County communities and has offered trainings through the Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT). Megan is the current Vice-Chair to the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Municipal Law Section. She is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, where she has served as the Chair of the School and Municipal Section and the Political Action Committee. She regularly teaches lawyers and elected officials on the topics of professional ethics, strategic communications and good governance.
Brian McCall, CPA, CGFM
Partner, Maher Duessel
Municipal Audits
Brian began his public accounting career in 2002 with Maher Duessel and was named Partner in 2016. Brian serves a wide range of governmental and nonprofit entities, including housing authorities, school districts, counties, municipal authorities, municipalities, community development organizations, and human service agencies, and he has extensive experience in Single Audit requirements. Brian routinely presents seminars on governmental accounting and auditing topics for several professional associations including the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), the Local Government Academy (LGA), and the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). He also is responsible for ensuring the firm’s compliance with the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center.
Chief Thomas Vulakovich
Chief of Police, Hampton Township
Police and Social Workers Working Together First Responders
Thomas's Law Enforcement career started in 1986 when he joined the Etna Borough Police Department. In July of 1989, he started in Hampton Township as a Patrolman and served in that capacity until 2008 when he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In January of 2015, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and in January of 2016, he was appointed to the position of Chief of Police. Upon his promotion to the position of Chief of Police, he focused on building a respected and professional police department.
Angela Kenbok
Social Services Coordinator/Police Social Worker, Hampton Township
Police and Social Workers Working Together First Responders
Angela began her career as the Social Services Coordinator/Police Social Work in 2020 at the Hampton Township Police Department. Angela graduated with her Master of Social Work in 2021 from Slippery Rock University and holds certifications in CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) and Forensic Social Work. Her experience consists of 10 years working in law enforcement, mental health, and substance abuse fields. Angela works closely with the police department where she can offer any social or therapeutic services needed within the community. Collaboratively, Angela and the officers work together to best serve the needs of the community
Paul F. Lauer
Township Manager, Peters Township
Understanding Municipal Budgets
Paul Lauer currently serves as the Township Manager for Peters Township, Washington County. Prior to assuming that role in 2016, he served as Peters Township ‘s Assistant Manager in charge of finance for 32 years. He has a graduate degree in Public Administration for the University of Pittsburgh.
Denny Puko
PLANNING CONSULTANT LLC
Land Development Fundamentals
Denny Puko is a self-employed consultant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He worked 15 years at the PA Department of Community and Economic Development assisting local planning and leading statewide planning policy projects. He worked 27 years in Pennsylvania county planning, most notably as executive director at Mercer County Regional Planning Commission. Denny’s expertise includes comprehensive plans, land use ordinances, strategic planning, and planning training. He taught a planning course at Thiel College. He is co-author of the book Off the Shelf and Into Action, How to Create an Implementable Comprehensive Plan. Denny has a bachelor’s degree in planning from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He received the 2021 Distinguished Service Award from the Pennsylvania Chapter of APA and a 2004 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence.
Deborah J. Grass
Consultant, Grass Root Solutions
Planning for Capital Improvements
Debby has extensive experience working with communities across the Commonwealth of PA. For the past ten years, she has been the Owner of Grass Root Solutions, a full-service municipal consulting firm. Previously, Debby was the Borough Manager in Dormont Borough and the City Administrator for the City of Butler. She worked for the PA Department of Community and Economic Development for four years as a Local Government Policy Specialist. She also led the Municipal Government Division as a Senior Associate for Delta Development Group for six years.
Elizabeth Sattler, Esq.
Associate, Weiss Burkardt Kramer LLC.
Ethics: Legal Building Block of Good Government
Elizabeth P. Sattler is an Associate at Weiss Burkardt Kramer LLC. She focuses on taxation matters, overseeing the firm’s tax collection department. Elizabeth also represents school districts in property tax assessment and exemption matters, while also assisting our municipal and school district clients with general solicitor issues
Lisa Franklin Robinson
Council President, North Braddock Borough
Getting the Most Out of NEOC
Lisa is a fourth-generation resident of North Braddock, Pennsylvania where she serves as the President of the Borough Council. She worked with a core team to develop a regional comprehensive plan for Braddock, East Pittsburgh, and North Braddock (BEN) and is currently developing an execution plan as the Executive Director for the Mon Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Mon Metro Business Equity Initiative. Through this work, Lisa addresses systemic problems of racism and the inequitable distribution of wealth while improving the economic growth and health of the region. Lisa has a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Geneva College and a Master of Divinity with a Certificate of Urban Ministry from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She was recently appointed as a Commissioner for the newly formed Eastern Regional Mon Valley Police Commission.
Charles R. Jones Jr.
City Manager, City of Beaver Falls
Maintaining a Healthy Relationship with the Municipal Manager and Governing Body
Charles has served as the city manager of the City of Beaver Falls since 2016, where he previously held the position of Chief of Police, having served as a member of the police force since 1994. Charles enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1986 as an active duty member of the Air-force Security Police Unit. In addition to his work as City Manager, Charles is an appointed member of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and a board member of Local Government Academy. Charles holds a B.Sc., M.Sc. and honorary Ph.D. from Geneva College. He also has complete police certifications from both the Municipal Police Officers Training Academy and the Pennsylvania Deputy Sheriff’s Training Program in Carlisle, PA and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA.
Amie Downs
Senior Vice President of Communications, C & G Strategies
Communicating as an Elected Official
Amie Downs is an executive level professional with 25+ years of government experience at local, county and state levels in both executive and legislative branches. In her current and previous roles, she has shown herself to be skilled at handling media relations, including crisis communications; developing messaging, communications plans, coordinated campaigns and public announcements; and drafting, reviewing and advocating for legislation and policy matters. After spending the last 12 years as part of the Fitzgerald county administration, she has recently transition to a new role as Senior Vice President of Communications at C & G Strategies, a public affairs consulting firm delivering governmental and communications strategies for clients.
Chief Matthew Brown
Chief, Allegheny County Emergency Services
Regional Safety
Chief Brown has served as the Chief/Director of the Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services since 2015. Chief Brown previously served as the Executive Director for the Pittsburgh Regional Business Coalition for Homeland Security. Chief Brown also served as the Director of Protection Services- US for United States Steel Corporation where he held several titles over 27 years for U.S. Steel. Chief Brown has over 39 years of experience in emergency services, emergency management, industrial safety and hazardous materials, security, investigations and close protection. Chief Brown is also a Life member of Munhall Volunteer Fire Company #1 where he has held many ranks up to the level of Deputy Chief – Munhall Bureau of Fire and is currently a member of Glassport Citizen’s Hose Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of Steel Valley High School.
Chief Nick Sohyda
Chief, Mt. Lebanon Fire Department
Fire Services Panel
Nick Sohyda is a 39-year veteran of the fire service, currently serving in his 18th year as the fire chief of the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department, In addition, Chief Sohyda is the Chairperson of the NFPA 1720 Technical Committee on the Standard for the Deployment of Fire, EMS, and Special Rescue Services to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments, and has provided professional consulting services to fire department's across the Commonwealth for the DCED Governor's Center for Local Government Services and his own consulting firm, Fast Attack, LLC.
Deputy Commissioner John 'J.C.' Tedorski
Deputy State Fire Commissioner
State of Fire Services in Pennsylvania
John "J.C." Tedorski has 39 years of experience in the fire service as a member of Arnold Volunteer Engine Company No. 2, having worked his way through the ranks from junior firefighter to assistant chief. In 2008, he was appointed city fire chief by city council, with oversight of two fire companies operating in the city. He served in that role for 12 years. Until his appointment as Deputy Fire Commissioner, he held the elected office of secretary of the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association for 33 years. As the needs of the organization changed, his role was transitioned to an executive director position in 2019. Tedorski serves as peer debriefer and board member of the Pittsburgh Critical Incident Stress Management team. He has been an active member of the team for more than 20 years, and has received a founders citation from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation for his efforts in the area of mental health of first responders. He has served as a local level and adjunct instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy since 2005, focusing on officer and instructor development courses He has been recognized as Firefighter of the Year and Instructor of the Year by various statewide organizations.
Patricia DeMarco, Ph.D.
Published Author, Sustainability & Resiliency Consultant
Strategic Planning for Long-Term Investments
Patricia M. DeMarco is a Pittsburgh author with a doctorate in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh. She has spent a fifty-year career in energy and environmental policy in both private and public sector positions. She learned her craft in public policy from Connecticut Governor Ella T. Grasso, for whom she served as policy advisor to the National Governors Association Low Level Nuclear Waste Compact negotiations. Following her position as Demand Side Manager for the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative, she served is a Commissioner of the Regulated Utilities Commission of Alaska. She returned to Pittsburgh in 2006, and served as Executive Director of the Rachel Carson Homestead Association then as Director of the Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham University, where she now holds an appointment as Senior Scholar and Adjunct Faculty. She sits on the Board of Trustees for Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and for The Allegheny Land Trust. She is a Principal Associate in The Main Street Associates, headquartered in Braddock, PA. She writes and lectures in the fields of sustainability, energy and environmental policy, and natural history.
John G. Dindak
Chief, West Homestead Volunteer Fire Departmemt
Fire Services Panel
John was born and raised in West Homestead Borough. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and obtained a Bachelors in Health and Physical Education while pitching on the varsity baseball team. John worked as an Allegheny County Port Authority Transit Police Sergeant, receiving several commendations/awards throughout his career. John then served as the Manager of the Drug and Alcohol Compliance Department (DOT mandated program). Upon retirement, he continues to work as a consultant or 3rd party administrator for DOT covered businesses/government entities. John joined the West Homestead Volunteer Fire Department in 1975 and has served as Chief since 1999.
Chief Clyde Wilhelm
Chief, Swissvale Fire Department
Fire Services Panel
Chief Wilhelm’s fire service career has spanned four decades, starting as a junior member in 1982 and has served in volunteer and combination departments, both in administrative and operational positions. His career included serving as a dispatcher, police officer and detective for nearly 10 years, spent 12 years in the corporate world working in management for two Fortune 50 companies, before building a successful company of his own. He returned to a full-time public safety career in 2010 as Chief of the Swissvale Fire Department. During his tenure as Chief, he successfully consolidated a career and volunteer department; implemented training and certifications to national standards; reduced the ISO rating from a Class 6 to a 2; advanced the agency’s EMS program from BLS to ALS and facilitated cooperation between regional departments. He implemented a comprehensive Community Risk Reduction & Code Enforcement program that has reduced structure fires by 85%; resulting in no fire fatalities in the last ten years, after the previous decade experienced 5 separate fire fatalities. These changes had a positive effect on his community, resulting in significantly increased property values as well as tax revenue. While Fire Chief, he also served as the Borough Manager from 2014 through 2020, inheriting a municipal government near fiscal insolvency. He brought forth a change in culture and paradigm shifts within the local government’s administration and operations. Without raising taxes, he increased revenues, services and capital investment, ending each year with a surplus.
Krista M. Watt
Assistant Borough Manager, Borough of Dormont
Community and Public Involvement: Building Community Voice
Krista M. Watt serves currently as the Assistant Borough Manager in the Borough of Dormont, a densely populated inner ring suburb that shares a border with the City of Pittsburgh in Western Pennsylvania. After 10 years in the private sector, she transitioned into local government to pursue her passion for equitable public health. While earning her master’s degree in public policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh, she quickly learned how physical infrastructure and local governance can affect the holistic health of the individuals within a community, making her role a complement to both her passion and foundational skill set. Krista is an active member of the Government Finance Officers of America (GFOA), ICMA (International City/County Management Association), and APMM (Association of Pennsylvania Municipal Managers). She sits on a variety of committees and boards both within these organizations and in her private life. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two cats, golfing, and catching the newest series that Netflix has to offer.
Paul N. Lalley, Esq.
Attorney, Campbell Durrant P.C.
Municipal Workforce – Personnel Evaluations
Mr. Lalley joined the firm in October 2009. Paul previously practiced with the Levin Legal Group, P.C., in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, where he focused on labor and employment issues involving public school entities. Prior to working for the Levin Legal Group, Paul served as a law clerk to Justice Sandra Schultz Newman of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Paul has argued cases involving public school issues before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He has represented public school clients in state and federal court, in cases involving employment and constitutional claims, as well as in proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, and the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. He has conducted training for public school administrators on student discipline and employee privacy issues, and presented before the California Council of School Attorneys on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. He also served as the Chairman of the Local Tax Study Commission of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. Although Paul now lives in Upper St. Clair with his wife, Jessica (a Bethel Park native) and their two daughters, Felicity and Reagan, he remains a loyal (but quiet) supporter of his Philadelphia sports teams.
Falco Muscante, Esq.
Partner, Maiello Brungo & Maiello, LLP
Social Media and Right to Know
Mr. Muscante has worked with school districts, boroughs, townships, and sewer authorities for over 35 years as both legal counsel and solicitor. He has served as lead negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations, and provided legal counsel in eminent domain proceedings and civil rights litigation matters. Muscante has represented his public clients in grievance arbitration hearings, Act III police and fire interest arbitration proceedings, and personnel related litigation.
Michael Brungo, Esq.
Partner, Maiello Brungo & Maiello, LLP
Social Media and Right to Know
Mr. Brungo is recognized as a Best Lawyer® in the 2021-2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America for Employment Law—Management and Litigation—Labor and Employment. He represents school districts, municipalities, and municipal authorities regarding employment matters including hiring and discipline, discrimination, and civil rights matters. He has negotiated collective bargaining agreements and engaged in interest and grievance arbitration.
Christina Lane, Esq.
Partner, Maiello Brungo & Maiello, LLP
Social Media and Right to Know
Ms. Lane is an accomplished school, municipal, labor and employment attorney with almost 25 years of experience in representing public sector employers. She has considerable expertise in disability, employment, and related litigation before administrative agencies. Ms. Lane routinely provides counsel to clients on issues of regulatory compliance, policy development, collective bargaining, employee discipline, accommodation requests, and litigation avoidance. Lane’s legal accomplishments led to her being recognized as a Best Lawyer® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Litigation—Labor and Employment.
Krisha DiMascio, Esq.
Associate, Maiello Brungo & Maiello, LLP
Social Media and Right to Know
Krisha DiMascio has extensive experience and skill in representing public school districts and municipalities as both a Solicitor and Special Counsel. Serving as a solicitor, special counsel, and general counsel for public entities, Ms. DiMascio provides counsel on various critical issues such as employee discipline, collective bargaining negotiations with various unions, and the development and enforcement of school and municipal policy. She has vast experience in attending public meetings and providing legal counsel and guidance in addressing various issues, and applies her legal skill and knowledge when addressing constitutional, statutory, and regulatory matters.
Jeaneen A. Zappa
Executive Director, The Energy Efficiency Alliance
Sustainable Municipal Debt Financing Panel
With more than 20 years of professional experience spanning the for-profit, public, and not-for-profit sectors, Jeaneen’s expertise ranges from strategic planning to partnership and client relationships to program development. Prior to joining the EEA in August of 2020, Jeaneen was executive director of Conservation Consultants Inc., now part of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, which focuses on residential energy efficiency and healthy home performance. Her previous professional roles include serving as the first Sustainability Manager for Allegheny County, Deputy Director of the Green Building Alliance, Director of Strategic Marketing for Descartes Systems Group, and Marketing Manager for Vocollect voice recognition technology. Her early career included work for University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and for the Pittsburgh Press, once the major daily newspaper in Pittsburgh.
Lynn Colosi
Senior Consultant, Delta Development Group
Sustainable Municipal Debt Financing Panel
From service planning to Transit Oriented Development to project funding, Lynn Colosi understands transit system development and all its related elements. For nearly 15 years, she worked at Port Authority of Allegheny County in the areas of operations, planning, and real estate development. Lynn’s area of expertise falls under multimodal transit and the integration of transit operations and land use strategies. In 2004, Lynn launched Clear View Strategies, a boutique public transportation consulting firm provided transit planning, operations and development services to transit agencies, planning organizations, municipalities, and other public agencies. In 2013, Clear View merged with Delta Development Group to offer full-service transportation and economic development solutions.
Mike McCaig
Manager Director, Raymond James
Sustainable Municipal Debt Financing Panel
Mike McCaig is a managing director with Raymond James and Associates in the municipal finance department based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mike specializes in working with local governments, including K-12, counties, municipalities and authorities in the western half on Pennsylvania. He also has experience with tax increment financing and project finance. Mike has 35 years of experience in municipal finance and has acted as lead investment banker for more than 400 transactions and nearly $3 billion in municipal debt. Mike has served two separate terms as Councilman of Peters Township as well as Board Member of the Peters Township Sanitary Authority. Mike has his Bachelor of Arts degree from Baldwin Wallace University and his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He holds Series 7, 50, 53, 63 and 79 licenses and is currently serving as Treasurer for the Local Government Academy.
Brittany Reno
Chief Executive Officer, SWPA Municipal Project Hub
Sustainable Municipal Debt Financing Panel
Brittany Reno currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the SWPA Municipal Project Hub as well as the mayor of Sharpsburg Borough. Reno is the former chair of CONNECT (the Congress of Neighboring Communities, a coalition comprising the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and 30+ inner-ring suburban municipalities), a current board officer of the Tri-COG Land Bank, and a current board member of the Cooper-Siegel Community Library system. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied Media & Professional Communications with a concentration in Corporate & Community Relations, and holds a Master of Sustainability degree with a focus on sustainable urban and community planning at Chatham University.
Jason Dailey
Owner, Dailey Operation Consulting LLC
Public Works 101
Jason Dailey is a professional municipal operations consultant and owner of Dailey Operation Consulting LLC. He has over 25 years experience as a Municipal Manager, Public Works and Utilities Director. He is an instructor for the the PA Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) providing training and technical assistance for Public Works operations. He is the current President of the Western PA Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA).