Corbett announces appointments
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Gov.-elect Tom Corbett announced Wednesday that his choice to head the state Department of Transportation is an engineer who has worked on many large road and bridge projects in Pennsylvania.
Corbett also disclosed that his general counsel will be Stephen S. Aichele, chairman and past managing partner of the large Philadelphia-based law firm Saul Ewing.
Aichele, 62, called the appointment a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I’ve known Tom Corbett a long time., I respect him,” Aichele said. “I think he’s somebody for whom I can easily work, and I’m actually honored to try to help him overcome the challenges that the state faces right now.”
Aichele has taught at Temple University School of Law, chaired the Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors in the early 1990s and retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve after serving for 25 years.
His law practice has focused on commercial real estate transactions.
On Monday, Corbett selected Aichele’s wife, Carol, as his choice for Pennsylvania’s secretary of state.
The PennDOT secretary nominee will be Barry J. Schoch of Camp Hill, a vice president at McCormick Taylor Inc. who serves as transportation engineering manager of its Harrisburg office. He played a top role in developing the state’s failed proposal to add tolls to Interstate 80.
Schoch “possesses a strong understanding of PennDOT policies, procedures and partners and will provide a wealth of transportation expertise to the administration,” Corbett said in a release.
Schoch, 50, who has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Penn State University, said he has gotten to know many of PennDOT’s professionals during nearly three decades working in the state.
“It’s a great organization. I’m pleased to be joining it,” Schoch said.
Schoch’s position requires Senate confirmation but Aichele’s does not.
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Online:
Aichele: http://bit.ly/gESuGt
Schoch: http://bit.ly/fSfx9M
The Associated Press
01/12/11 17:10