Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s chief of staff resigns, replacement appointed

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s chief of staff has resigned from his position.

The Gainey Administration announced on Saturday that Chief of Staff Jake Wheatley resigned on Wednesday.

“Jake has made extremely important contributions to my administration and the people of Pittsburgh,” Mayor Ed Gainey said.

Wheatley was in the position for three years. It is not clear why he resigned, at this time.

Kyle Chintalapalli will replace Wheatley.

“I’m honored by the confidence Mayor Gainey has placed in me by asking me to take on this challenge,” Chintalapalli said. “Under Mayor Gainey’s leadership, we’ve begun to rebuild the city government’s ability to serve its residents effectively, fostering inclusive growth, reducing community violence, and empowering our most marginalized residents. I’m excited to support the Mayor as Chief of Staff as we continue that essential work.”

Chintalapalli has worked as Chief Economic Development Officer with the Gainey administration since January 2022. In that role, he worked on efforts to provide affordable housing in the city, revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh and modernize the city’s development review processes through the Departments of City Planning and Permits, Licenses and Inspections.

“As Chief Economic Development Officer, Kyle has been essential to my Administration’s successes in shaping and fostering equitable economic development, especially our critical work to address the housing crisis. I have every confidence in his ability to step up into the role of Chief of Staff,” Gainey said.

Chintalapalli’s new responsibilities will include overseeing Pittsburgh’s public relations and strategic initiatives and retaining an economic development portfolio, the administration said.

He will serve as one of the mayor’s senior advisers and focus on housing.

Chintalapalli is also Chairman of the Boards of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County.

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