Tom Corbett Announces Transition Team

Gov.-elect Tom Corbett today announced the leadership of his transition team, naming Christine Toretti, Jack Barbour and Bill Sasso as co-chairs.

Corbett also named Leslie Gromis-Baker and Tom Paese as co-directors of the transition. Charles Kopp has been named as the transition’s legal counsel. Additionally, Corbett named Brian Nutt as transition chief of staff and Kevin Harley as transition spokesman.

“I’m pleased that such high-caliber men and women have joined me in this important task of crafting a new administration,” Corbett said. “Their leadership will be a valuable asset as we move forward with forming a complete transition team.”

“Over the next few weeks, my leadership team and I will be adding members to the transition team who will examine all aspects of state government and the state agencies,” Corbett said.

Corbett also named Bob Asher and Laura Ellsworth as co-chairs of the Corbett/Cawley inauguration committee.

Christine Toretti, of Indiana County, is Chairman and CEO of the S.W. Jack Drilling Co., of Indiana, Pennsylvania. The company is the largest privately held land-based drilling company in the United States. She is also the National Committeewoman of Pennsylvania to the Republican National Committee. Among her many accomplishments are that she founded the Anne Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series, a training program designed to educate, empower and advance Republican women.

Jack Barbour, of Allegheny County, is the Chief Executive Officer of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney and Chairman of its Board of Directors. He has served as outside counsel to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Daniel M. Rooney and Arthur J. Rooney II families for many years. Barbour also represented the Steelers in all legal aspects of the development, financing and construction of Heinz Field.

Bill Sasso, of Philadelphia, is Chairman of the law firm Stradley Ronon and is responsible for the oversight and management of more than 195 attorneys. In addition to his legal practice, Sasso is widely recognized as a community leader in the Delaware Valley. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in 2003 and 2004.

Charles Kopp, of Philadelphia, is of counsel with the law firm Cozen O’Connor. He is a tax law expert and also serves as a board member of Thomas Jefferson University.

Leslie Gromis-Baker, of Pittsburgh, founded the political consulting firm, Lg Strategies. She also served as Director of Public Liaison in the Ridge administration and was campaign manager for Governor Ridge’s successful reelection in 1998. She was also state director of the Bush/Cheney Campaign in 2000.

Tom Paese, of Washington D.C., is a partner in the law firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney and is chair of the firm’s State Government Relations Section. He also served as Secretary of Administration under Governor Tom Ridge.

Bob Asher, of Montgomery County, is Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asher’s Chocolates and serves as the National Committeeman of Pennsylvania to the Republican National Committee.

Laura Ellsworth, of Pittsburgh, is Partner-in-Charge of the Jones Day law firm’s Pittsburgh office. She was named one of Pennsylvania's "Best 50 Women in Business" in 2008.

Brian Nutt, of Hershey, served as Corbett’s campaign manager and as Chief of Staff in the Office of Attorney General.

Kevin Harley, of East Petersburg, is Corbett’s longtime spokesman.

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