Media & Public Relations

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission today announced the hiring of Craig Shuey as government affairs director. The commission voted 5-0 to hire Shuey at their bimonthly meeting earlier this week; he will begin his new Turnpike job on Aug. 14. Shuey assumes the responsibilities of John Martino, who will retire at the end of August after 35 years in state and federal government, including 14 years at the Turnpike.

Shuey is the Executive Director of the Senate Transportation Committee for the republican majority, a post he has held for eight years. During his tenure, Shuey has played a key role in shaping many of the major transportation laws enacted during that time, including Act 44 -- the commonwealth’s landmark transportation funding statute passed in July, 2007.

Act 44 created a Public-Public Partnership between the Turnpike Commission and PennDOT to aid in addressing the state’s transportation-funding crisis. As a result of Act 44, the Turnpike has provided PennDOT with $1.6 billion in supplemental transportation funding to date, and an additional $900 million is being provided this fiscal year.

“We’re thrilled that Craig has decided to join our team. It’s obvious that we are in new and somewhat unchartered waters when it comes to transportation policy in general and transportation funding specifically,” said Turnpike CEO Joseph Brimmeier. “Craig’s expertise will prove invaluable as we move forward. He understands the Turnpike’s changing mission and our new partnership with PennDOT.”

In addition to serving as the liaison between the Turnpike and the General Assembly, Shuey will manage the commission’s government relations at the federal level, helping the commonwealth advance efforts at the national level to craft sound, forward-looking transportation funding policies.

Shuey has served as a representative on the State Transportation Commission and various advisory committees on areas such as air, rail, freight movement and safety. He also collaborated with business and community leaders across the state on strategies for advancing needed transportation improvements across Pennsylvania.

Rep. Joseph Markosek, D-Allegheny, the Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said he looks forward to continue addressing the commonwealth's transportation challenges with Shuey.

"There is really no room for partisan politics when it comes to an issue as important as making sure we have a safe and viable transportation network. I've worked with Craig and my Senate counterparts on both sides of the aisle cooperatively for years now and look forward to continuing that strong partnership," said Rep. Markosek. "Craig knows transportation policy issues as well as anyone in the state."

Shuey is a 1994 graduate of Bloomsburg University. A Harrisburg-area native, he lives in Mechanicsburg with his wife and two children.

“I believe that modern transportation infrastructure and services will prove to be the cornerstone of a strong economic future for our state,” Shuey said. “I am excited to be able to continue pursuing the needed transportation policy to achieve that.

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