Matt Smith, Allegheny Conference Chief Growth Officer, Appointed to Commonwealth Financing Authority as Pennsylvania House Speaker Mcclinton’s Representative

MATT SMITH, ALLEGHENY CONFERENCE CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER,
APPOINTED TO COMMONWEALTH FINANCING AUTHORITY AS
PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE SPEAKER MCCLINTON'S REPRESENTATIVE

(PITTSBURGH - March 7, 2025) - Matt Smith, Chief Growth Officer for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and former member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, has been appointed to the Board of the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) as the representative of The Honorable Joanna E. McClinton, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

As a Board Member, Smith will play a critical role in overseeing the funding of economic development programs and investments, as well as approving project funding.

"Pennsylvania needs an economy that works for everyone-an economy that attracts new business and industry, boosts growth, and creates opportunities for every community and resident," said Speaker McClinton. "As a member of the Commonwealth Financing Authority, Matt Smith will draw on his decades of experience in economic development and government to help Pennsylvania invest in projects that strengthen our economy and our communities."

"Smith is uniquely positioned for the role, given his leadership of the Conference's economic development efforts, which focus on growth of the regional economy through the attraction and retention of business investment and talent," said Stefani Pashman, CEO of the Allegheny Conference. "This role will further elevate Smith's role in local, state and federal policy and advocacy, which are strategically oriented toward increasing economic competitiveness and accelerating growth opportunities regionwide."

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania's economic growth.

Unique among state agencies in structure and scope, the CFA consists of seven Board members: four legislative appointees-with Smith being the newest member-and the secretaries of the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Office of the Budget and Department of Banking and Securities. Project approval requires five affirmative votes, four of which must come from legislative appointees.

About the Allegheny Conference on Community Development

The Allegheny Conference on Community Development is one of the United States' foremost civic leadership organizations. For more than 75 years, the Conference has been bringing together public and private sector leaders. Through the support of its Regional Investors Council, the Conference is improving the economic future and quality of life of the 10-county Pittsburgh region. Visit the Allegheny Conference on Community Development's website for more information.

###

Note to editors: Matt Smith is available for interviews. Contact Hollie Geitner to arrange.

Media Contact: Hollie Geitner, [email protected]