Pennsylvania Gov.-elect Tom Wolf has announced Drexel University President John A. Fry will serve as chair of his transition team.
“I’m honored to chair the Transition Steering Committee and work with so many outstanding leaders to help Gov.-elect Wolf serve Pennsylvanians effectively from day one of his administration,” said Fry.
Serving as vice-chairs will be York Mayor Kim Bracey, community leader Cindy Shapira and Jim Brown, who previously served as Sen. Robert Casey, Jr.'s chief of staff. Denise Smyler will serve as legal counsel to the steering committee. Wolf also named the heads of the Budget Deficit and Fiscal Stabilization Task Force that will work to address the looming budget deficit. Mary Soderberg, former secretary of the budget, will serve as chair and Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Commission, will serve as vice chair.
“I am looking forward to working with a diverse group of leaders to move Pennsylvania forward,” said Wolf. “My transition team leadership will help me address the major issues facing our commonwealth, and they will help make Pennsylvania work for middle-class families.”
Fry has served in higher education for his entire professional career, as a consultant, board member, chief operating officer and chief executive. As Drexel’s 14th president, he has positioned the University to become the “modern urban university of the future,” harnessing both long-established and still-emerging strengths to serve its students, its neighborhood, its city and the nation. Drexel is setting a new standard for cooperative education, investing in its research capacity and becoming a major force for economic development. Fry previously was president of Franklin & Marshall College, where his leadership was instrumental in an unprecedented period of academic growth, campus and neighborhood development and improved finances. As executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania, he helped develop and implement Penn’s “Agenda for Excellence” and built a coalition to address challenges facing the University City neighborhood in West Philadelphia.
To schedule an interview with Wolf regarding his transition team, email press@wolftransitionpa.com.