| Kathy Liebler
Director of Public Information
|
C O M M I S S
I O N N
E W S R
E L E A S E
Contact: Lowman S. Henry (717) 939-9551 Ext. # 2934 August 27, 1996
GITTO-DAVIS NEW TURNPIKE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission today announced that
Joanne Gitto-Davis has been hired as the Turnpike's new Director of
Human Resources. The post became vacant in June following the
retirement of Joseph DiRienzo.
Gitto-Davis comes to the Turnpike Commission from the Merv
Griffin Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey where she
has served as Director of Labor/Employee Relations for the past
seven years.
"Joanne Gitto-Davis brings 17 years of experience in human
resources programs with her to the Turnpike," said Commission
Chairman James F. Malone, III. "She has experience in all areas of
human resources activities including administering labor contracts,
responding to grievances, conducting training courses and
administering performance appraisal systems."
Malone said Gitto-Davis' background made her the ideal
candidate to implement the improvements in the Turnpike's Human
Resources Department which were recommended in a recent management
study conducted by Deloitte & Touche.
"We have said all along that we are serious about enhancing
such programs as staff training and development, benefits
administration and implementing a pay-for-performance based system
of management compensation," Malone continued. "Mrs. Davis has
experience in all these areas and will be a tremendous addition to
our management team."
As Director of Labor/Employee Relations for Merv Griffin's
Resorts Casino Hotel, Gitto-Davis oversaw all labor and employee
relations functions for the organization's 3,500 person staff. She
administered and negotiated all labor contracts, helped develop the
strategic business plan for the hotel's human resources department,
taught training courses and helped to design, implement and
administer the company's performance appraisals.
"I am excited about the opportunity to work at the
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission," said Gitto-Davis. "It will give
me the opportunity to take what I've learned working in the private
sector and apply it to a public agency which has begun the process
of enhancing its human resources functions."
Gitto-Davis is a graduate of Cornell University with a
Bachelor of Science from the School of Industrial and Labor
Relations. She is a member and fundraiser for the Cornell Alumni
Association, active in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a past participant
in the March of Dimes Telethon and represented Merv Griffin Resorts
as a United Way Ambassador. She is in the process of relocating to
Mechanicsburg, PA.
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P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676 Phone: (717) 939-9551 Fax: (717) 986-9649