(PITTSBURGH—The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Mark Anthony Thomas, President of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (PRA), an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, announced he is stepping down in November as the leader of the region’s economic development organization to assume the CEO position at the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC). Thomas was selected for the top post of GBC—the leading voice for the private sector in the Baltimore region on issues of inclusive economic growth and quality of life—following a national search.
Since joining the PRA in 2019, Thomas has spearheaded a comprehensive modernization of the organization’s economic development program—designing strategies to pursue opportunities for business investment and job creation in innovation-driven growth sectors, launching a new regional brand—Pittsburgh Region. Next is Now. and transforming the region’s approach to welcoming and connecting talent. During his tenure, the PRA team played an important role in securing more than 100 business investment wins, representing nearly 8,090 jobs and $2 billion in capital investment and real estate development throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh Regional Alliance Chair Bill Demchak, Chairman, President and CEO of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. said in a staatement, “The Conference and the region have benefited from Mark’s leadership. He has played an important role in repositioning and elevating the profile of Pittsburgh to attract business investment and talent, and his efforts have solidified the PRA’s role in moving the region toward a more vibrant economic future.”
Thomas’ varied contributions also include playing a critical role in the regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic —from ensuring support for safe reopening of businesses and preventing delays in recovery, to defining a strategy to revitalize downtown Pittsburgh—work that continues today. In his service as chair of the Power of 32 Site Development Fund, a private, patient loan fund that closes critical infrastructure financing gaps, business sites with the potential for regional impact are being readied across a multi-state region.
Allegheny Conference CEO Stefani Pashman said, “I am extremely proud of the progress made under Mark’s leadership and I am grateful to have had the chance to work alongside him in efforts to make the region a vital, globally competitive place where everyone can thrive. Mark has accomplished a great deal in a relatively short period of time, laying a critical foundation for our future economic development and talent marketing efforts. I wish Mark the best in his role as CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee and know his impact on placemaking and creating opportunity will continue.”
Reflecting on his presidency, Thomas said, “Representing the PRA has not only been a gift, but a time that I’ll forever cherish. My travels within the counties of southwestern Pennsylvania and globally on the Pittsburgh region’s behalf have made it clear that this community holds a special place for so many people. Serving this community has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life and it fundamentally changed my understanding of our country and economic development. I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve done and grateful for the partners, investors and colleagues who worked with the deepest sincerity to support the PRA during my presidency amidst a pandemic, economic uncertainty and reckoning on racial equity.
“The region has never been better positioned to continue its storied transformation and continue to shine.”
The Allegheny Conference Board of Directors will lead a search to identify candidates for the position with a targeted completion in the first quarter of 2023.
About Post Author
