Port Authority of Allegheny County's Board on Friday appointed David L. Donahoe to serve as interim chief executive officer, effective June 1, while the Board conducts a national search for a permanent replacement.

"David is a highly respected individual with the experience necessary to manage an agency as complex as Port Authority,” said Port Authority Board Chair Jeff Letwin. “His background and knowledge of city, county, and state government makes him the perfect fit, and his agreeing to assume this position provides us the time needed to conduct a national search for a CEO with transit experience.”

Donahoe will succeed Ellen M. McLean, whose contract expires May 31.
 
"Ellen has provided tremendous leadership during a particularly tumultuous time at Port Authority," Letwin said. "Her financial background and expertise helped put the Authority on solid financial footing, and we are grateful for her work over the last seven years."
 
Donahoe, 68, of Stanton Heights has more than 45 years of experience in the public and nonprofit sectors, most recently serving a six-month stint as interim CEO of the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority.
 
From 1995 until 2015, Donahoe served as executive director of the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), working to allocate and administer more than $1.5 billion in grants to libraries, regional parks, professional sports facilities and cultural venues.
 
Prior to his work at RAD, Donahoe served in multiple public sector positions, including Pennsylvania secretary of revenue; county clerk, deputy county controller and director of aviation for Allegheny County; city treasurer, executive secretary to Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri, executive director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority in Pittsburgh; and business director for the Pittsburgh Public Schools.