Yesterday, January 5, 2026, I had the honor of attending Corey O’Connor’s inauguration as the 62nd Mayor of Pittsburgh at Carnegie Music Hall. The event was filled with a clear vision for a brighter future where he underscored economic development as a priority.
It was inspiring to see so many past mayors in attendance, including Ed Gainey, Tom Murphy, Luke Ravenstahl, and Bill Peduto. Their presence highlighted the continuity of leadership and shared dedication to our city’s success. Furthermore, there were many elected officials in the crowd including City Council, County Executive Sara Innamorato, Representative Deluzio, State Representative Robinson, State Representative Costa, State Senator Fontana, and more.
Governor Josh Shapiro delivered an exceptional speech, stressing that Pennsylvania’s future is deeply connected to the growth and prosperity of Pittsburgh. His words set an optimistic tone for collaboration at every level.
For those who do not know me well, I have loved golf since I was seven years old. So, when I noticed Neal Shipley sitting behind the Mayor, I quickly flipped through the agenda and saw he was a speaker for the event. For those who do not know, Neal famously beat Tiger Woods on Sunday at the Masters in Augusta… not to win the masters, but a feat none-the-less. During his speech I learned that Corey was his golf coach back at Central Catholic High School where they won a state championship.
In his powerful inaugural address, Corey declared, “It’s time to become a city of hope and optimism, where your dreams can come true. A Pittsburgh where we, each and every time, we get to yes.”
The celebrations continued with an awesome inauguration party at the Museum Lab and Children’s Museum where I had the pleasure of seeing many influential people in our city.
A special thank you to Steve Mazza from the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters for inviting me to the day of festivities.
What truly excites me is how Mayor O’Connor wasted no time delivering on his campaign promises. On his very first full day in office, he signed his first executive order focused on permitting reform. This move directly addresses the long-standing delays in the city’s permitting processes, which have hindered homeowners, small businesses, and developers alike.
The order directs key departments (including Permits, Licenses and Inspections; Planning; and Mobility and Infrastructure) to review their procedures, identify barriers, and submit recommendations within 60 days to streamline approvals—without changing community input, planning, or zoning rules. O’Connor emphasized that “Permitting is the number one priority in growing Pittsburgh,” and that speeding up these processes will help the city thrive.
I’m genuinely enthusiastic about this Day 1 Executive Order. It shows real commitment to making Pittsburgh more business-friendly, efficient, and open for growth. By tackling bureaucratic hurdles head-on, Mayor O’Connor is already making our city a better place to live, work, and build. This is just the beginning of a hopeful, action-oriented administration.