Changes have come to the office of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, with the resignation of Jake Wheatley as Chief of Staff, effective January 29th. Wheatley has been in his role for the past three years, during which Mayor Gainey credits him with making "extremely important contributions to my administration and the people of Pittsburgh," in a statement detailed by the city's news bulletin. The changes mark a significant shift in the leadership team within Gainey's office.

Stepping into the capacity once occupied by Wheatley is Kyle Chintalapalli, previously the Chief Economic Development Officer (CEDO) within the Gainey Administration, a position he has held since January 2022. During his tenure, Chintalapalli has been known to work handsomely towards increasing affordable housing and revitalizing downtown Pittsburgh, alongside modernizing the city's development processes. He is also noted for holding the chairman's position on the boards of both the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County.

For Chintalapalli, the move is more than a promotion; it is a commitment to further the administration's objectives. "I'm honored by the confidence Mayor Gainey has placed in me by asking me to take on this challenge," Chintalapalli said. "Under Mayor Gainey's leadership, we've begun to rebuild the city government's ability to serve its resident's effectively, fostering inclusive growth, reducing community violence, and empowering our most marginalized residents. I'm excited to support the Mayor as Chief of Staff as we continue that essential work," he stated, per the city's news release.

In his new role, Chintalapalli will manage the City's public relations and strategic initiatives and retain his economic development portfolio. Specifically, he will work to efficiently push forward the Mayor's housing agenda, drafting upon both legislative and funding initiatives he shaped as CEDO. He will now work closely with Deputy Mayor Jake Pawlak, who oversees the Office of Management and Budget — a critical department responsible for managing city operations and its finances.