Media & Public Relations

Former Transportation Committee director brings
nearly 14 years' experience to post.

HARRISBURG, PA (09/14/2011)(readMedia)-- The Pa. Turnpike Commission (PTC) recently named Stacia A. Ritter, former director of the State House Transportation Committee, as director of government affairs. She began at the PTC on Sept. 1, filling a vacancy created in January when Craig R. Shuey, former government affairs director, was promoted to chief operating officer.

Ritter, an attorney who served in various posts within the State House of Representatives from December 1997 until August 2011, will be a key member of the PTC leadership team, responsible for government relations as well as legislative analysis, tracking and reporting.

"With more than 13 years of experience inside the state capitol, Stacey is a valuable addition to our senior staff," said PTC COO Shuey. "She is a well-regarded policy professional and a proven leader who is recognized and respected by lawmakers of both parties."

Ritter, a resident of Shermansdale, Pa. (Perry County), served on numerous committees in the House of Representatives, including four years as executive director of the Majority Transportation Committee from 2007-2010. During that time, she was instrumental in the development and passage of Act 44 of 2007, the state law that provides supplemental funding for the commonwealth's roads, bridges and public-transit authorities. Prior to that, she served as executive director of the Commerce and Intergovernmental Affairs committees. Most recently, Ritter was assistant executive director of the House Appropriations Committee.

"In addition to operating and improving one of the nation's oldest and largest toll-road systems, the PTC has also been charged to help fund infrastructure improvements and operations statewide; in fact, we have delivered more than $3 billion in Act 44 funding to PennDOT since 2007," Shuey added. "The continuing evolution of our role in providing transportation services to citizens of the commonwealth necessitates having highly skilled people managing our public policy and legislative program. Stacey meets those needs, and we're happy to have her onboard."

Ritter earned a law degree from the Widener University School of Law, Harrisburg, Pa., in 2001 and a bachelor's degree in political science and government (Magna Cum Laude) from Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pa., in 1997. She is a 2008 graduate of the Legislative Staff Management Institute, a prestigious, national leadership program for managers in the legislative setting held at California State University, Sacramento, Calif. Before joining the House, she served two years as a clerk in District Court 12-1-02, Harrisburg, Pa.

"The PTC has a proud legacy, serving more than 70 years as a central component of our state government. Now, with its expanded mission, an effective and efficient turnpike commission is more essential than ever - even for residents who may never use toll roads," Ritter said. "I look forward to working with commissioners, the senior-management team and everyone else at the commission to ensure the continued success of this historic organization."

Ritter, who is married with two daughters, is involved in several community boards, including serving on the Carroll Township Recreation Board (Perry County).

ABOUT PTC

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) operates and maintains 546 miles of toll roads in the state. It oversees 65 toll-collection facilities, 14 operational service plazas (three plazas are temporarily closed for renovations) and 27 maintenance facilities (including five tunnels). With 2,101 employees - 1,650 unionized and 451 nonunion - the PTC generated $718 million in annual gross revenue from 186.5 million vehicles (consisting of 88 percent passenger vehicles and 12 percent commercial) in fiscal-year 2010-2011. Known as "America's First Superhighway," it opened to traffic Oct. 1, 1940 and originally ran 160 miles from Middlesex, Pa., near Carlisle, to Irwin, east of Pittsburgh.

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