Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey's chief of staff resigns

Jake Wheatley, chief of staff to Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, has resigned, the mayor’s office said Saturday.

A statement sent to the media Saturday evening did not list a reason for the departure. Wheatley’s resignation was effective Jan. 29.

“Jake has made extremely important contributions to my administration and the people of Pittsburgh,” Gainey said in a statement, acknowledging Wheatley’s three years of service.

Gainey appointed Kyle Chintalapalli, the city’s chief economic development officer since 2022, to take over the position.

“As chief economic development officer, Kyle has been essential to my administration’s successes in shaping and fostering equitable economic development, especially our critical work to address the housing crisis. I have every confidence in his ability to step up into the role of chief of staff,” Gainey said in a statement.

Chintalapalli said he was honored.

“Under Mayor Gainey’s leadership, we’ve begun to rebuild the city government’s ability to serve its residents effectively, fostering inclusive growth, reducing community violence and empowering our most marginalized residents,” he said.

Wheatley, of the Hill District, had been in his 10th term in Harrisburg as a state representative before stepping down to become Gainey’s chief of staff in 2022.

In October, Pittsburgh police Chief Larry Scirotto abruptly resigned amid controversy over a deal with the mayor to allow him to resume moonlighting as an NCAA basketball referee.