The Cabinet door remains open for appointments and this morning Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro announced four nominations to join his team.

Shapiro tapped Rick Siger to be Secretary of Community and Economic Development; Michael Carroll as Secretary of Transportation; Sarah Hammer as Secretary of Banking and Securities; and Pat Browne as Secretary of Revenue.

According to the press release, Shapiro’s administration aims to “jump-start Pennsylvania’s economy by cutting red tape, lowering taxes, and making it easier to do business in the Commonwealth – and these highly qualified nominees will lead that effort in the Shapiro Administration.”

“I’m proud to nominate this well qualified, bipartisan group of public servants. I’m confident Rick Siger, Mike Carroll, Pat Browne, and Sarah Hammer will bring new energy to Pennsylvania state government and help make us a national leader in innovation, manufacturing, and job creation,” said Shapiro.

“At a time where Pennsylvania families are being crushed under a mountain of rising prices, we need leaders who will focus on reigniting Pennsylvania’s economy and providing relief for working families across the Commonwealth. All four are dedicated to serving our Commonwealth by investing in key infrastructure projects, bringing a renewed focus to help small businesses and revive main streets in Pennsylvania, and working to ensure consumers and businesses are well-informed and protected.”

Siger, born and raised in Pittsburgh, is currently Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh. In that role, he sets the management agenda for CMU’s executive team and advises the President on a broad range of issues including economic and community development, budget and strategy, and leadership of CMU’s more than 4,000 staff and 1,400 faculty members.

“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,” Siger said. “I am honored to carry out Governor-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.”

Carroll was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2006 and subsequently re-elected for seven additional terms, and  he worked on transportation throughout his time in public office. Mike was Democratic chairman of the House Transportation Committee from 2018 – 2022.

“I am deeply honored that Governor-Elect Shapiro has entrusted me with the leadership over a department that affects the daily life of millions of Pennsylvanians and ensures we can travel across the Commonwealth safely,” Carroll said. “This historic moment in our Commonwealth presents a unique opportunity for this Administration. With $7.9 billion in federal funding coming to Pennsylvania, we will be able to fix our roads, highways and bridges.”

Hammer is Managing Director of the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance and Senior Fellow of the Harris Alternative Investments Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In these roles, she focuses her efforts on private capital investments and financial technology.

“Governor-Elect Shapiro has a long record of protecting consumers and standing up to predatory practices, and as Secretary, I will work to strengthen and enhance our consumer protection efforts while ensuring the banking and securities industry operates fairly and efficiently,” said Hammer.

Browne, an Allentown native, served as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 16th District from 2005 to 2022. During his service in the Senate, he was elected by his colleagues in the Senate Republican Caucus to serve as Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman for four consecutive legislative sessions from 2014-22. The committee, the most powerful of the Senate’s standing committees, reviews all legislation for its fiscal impact and plays a crucial role in developing the state budget.

“As the head of the Appropriations Committee in the Senate, I have been a steward of our Commonwealth’s fiscal health, and as a member of the Shapiro Administration, I will work to ensure our Department runs programs fairly and efficiently,” said Browne. We will be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars as we work to advance Governor-Elect Shapiro’s vision of freedom and opportunity here in Pennsylvania.”

The four join 12 other Cabinet appointments made by Shapiro:

• Education: Dr. Khalid Mumin
• Labor and Industry: Nancy Walker
• Administration: Neil Weaver
• State: Al Schmidt
• Environmental Protection: Rich Negrin
• Conservation and Natural Resources: Cindy Adams Dunn
• Agriculture: Russell Redding
• Human Services: Dr. Val Arkoosh
• Health: Dr. Debra Bogen
• Drug and Alcohol Programs: Dr. Latika Davis-Jones
• Aging: Jason Kavulich
• Insurance: Mike Humphreys