Former Port Authority spokeswoman Judi McNeil will take over as press secretary for Allegheny County, county Chief Executive Dan Onorato announced on Friday.
Effective Tuesday, McNeil replaces longtime spokesman Kevin Evanto as part of a reshuffling of the communications staff.
Evanto, who has been battling cancer, was suspended last week after McKeesport police charged him with misdemeanor cocaine possession. His suspension ends Monday, and he will return as the county's communications coordinator. Friday was the last day on the job for Evanto's deputy, Megan Dardanell.
Evanto is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in his criminal case Aug. 1 before District Judge Eugene Riazzi, Jr. There was no indication from Onorato's office Friday afternoon whether the disposition of Evanto's case would have any bearing on his new position with the county.
Of McNeil, Onorato said, "It's the cumulative effect of her work. This is somebody that can come in immediately and represent the county well, and that's why I hired her."
Onorato said changes among top staff members are common to any administration as it comes to a close and highly qualified employees begin searching for their next jobs.
"I have six months left in my term, and I wanted someone who could come in and have instant credibility and be somebody we could trust," Onorato said.
McNeil has 20 years of experience in the communications and marketing fields, most of which was with the Port Authority of Allegheny County. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from Ohio State University. She will be paid $90,000 a year.
