11 Stanwix Street, 17th Floor PITTSBURGH, PA 15222-1312 AlleghenyConference.org MEDIA ADVISORY For Immediate Release Contact: Bill Flanagan 412-281-4783 David Ruppersberger to Assume Pittsburgh Regional Alliance Leadership Role PITTSBURGH – March 31, 2015 - The Allegheny Conference on Community Development announced today that David Ruppersberger has been named president of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (PRA), its economic development marketing affiliate. The appointment is effective April 6, 2015. “David brings a breadth and depth of experience to the Regional Alliance, including leadership roles in business development, corporate engagement, economic development, government relations and support of entrepreneurship,” said Dennis Yablonsky, chief executive officer of the Allegheny Conference and the PRA. “We are fortunate to welcome him to the Conference to lead our program to attract and retain business investment.” A native of the Pittsburgh region, Ruppersberger has more than 36 years of management and leadership experience, much of it focused on the successful technologybased economic development strategy that has transformed Pittsburgh’s economy over the past generation. Previously, Ruppersberger was director, Joint Economic Initiatives, for Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, where he coordinated economic development activities between the universities, co-led Power Up Pittsburgh, and represented the universities on various regional initiatives. MORE March 31, 2015 Page 2 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Ruppersberger spent the first 19 years of his career in business development roles in the software industry, including service as sales manager at Carnegie Group, Inc. in Pittsburgh. From 2003-2012 he served as president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse and the Technology Collaborative, where he spearheaded efforts to fund/incubate 64 startups, attract eight companies, and create 2,365 jobs paying an average of $81,000/year. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, a partnership involving 10 counties and the City of Pittsburgh that has done so much to attract capital investment and create and retain jobs over the past 20 years,” Ruppersberger said. “Our region is blessed with a diverse economy, enormous energy resources, and a capacity to innovate and educate through our 36 colleges and universities. We are wellpositioned for continued success.” The Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (PRA), the economic development marketing affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, markets the benefits of conducting business in southwestern Pennsylvania to companies all over the world that are growing, relocating or expanding. The PRA also works to support the growth of existing regional employers. ### About the Allegheny Conference: The Allegheny Conference on Community Development and Affiliates – the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance – work in collaboration with public and private sector partners to improve the economy and the quality of life in southwestern Pennsylvania.