Catherine Califano, Deputy Secretary of Business Operations

Catherine Califano has served as the Deputy Secretary of Business Operations since September 2023 . In this role, Cathy leads the bureaus of Real Estate, Finance and Risk Management, Commonwealth Media Services, and Publications.

Catherine brings more than 20 years of management and operations experience in public and private sector organizations. She is coming to DGS from the City of Philadelphia's Department of Planning and Development (DPD). As First Deputy for the DPD she served as the representative for the Director in her absences and managed the Communications, IT, Financial, and Human Resource operations. This included developing a budget of $180 million; analyzing real estate market conditions and negotiating acquisition policies; collaborating with academic and think tank institutions to evaluate the effectiveness of public programs/policies related to housing, real estate, crime, health, fair housing, and economic mobility; and leading the development and execution of the Department's COOP strategy to prepare for the disruptions of critical services.

Prior to the Department of Planning and Development, Catherine served as Associate Director, Policy Solutions at The Reinvestment Fund in Philadelphia, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary at the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) in Philadelphia, and Director of Economic Development for the Empowerment Zone program at the City of Philadelphia's Commerce Department, among other roles.

Catherine has authored and contributed to numerous policy research publications covering mortgages and food access; she has participated in speaking engagements on planning and innovation; and she was the recipient of the 2019 Community Impact Award for her approach to Investing in Opportunity Zones.

Catherine received a Master of Government Administration from University of Pennsylvania, Fels Institute of Government, and majored in Political Science & Public Address and Rhetoric with minor in International Studies at St. John's University.

Jason Snyder, Deputy Secretary for Property and Asset Management

Jason Snyder serves as the deputy secretary for Property and Asset Management. In this position, he oversees property administration, police & safety, facilities & maintenance management, energy &resource management, and energy sustainability initiatives for the commonwealth.

With more than 17 years of state government service, all with DGS, Snyder most recently worked as the director of the Bureau of Facilities Management where he oversaw the area of the agency responsible for maintenance projects; custodial, grounds, and the various trade operations in the Capitol Complex, state office buildings in Reading and Scranton, and the executive residence. Snyder has held a number of positions throughout his career since he started at the department's carpenter shop.

Greg Kirk, Deputy Secretary for Capital Program​s

Greg Kirk serves as the deputy secretary for Capital Programs. In this position, he leads a team of design, construction, and administrative professionals who oversee the management of state government, non-highway capital construction projects through the bureaus of Capital Projects Planning and Procurement, Capital Projects Design Management, Capital Projects Construction, and Workplace Operations.

Greg is a US Navy veteran and leverages more than 20 years of experience in managing large and diverse capital programs. He most recently held a leadership role for NVR, Inc., where he was responsible for leading facility expansion and capital investment programs for the company’s Building Products Manufacturing Division. Before that, he held various facilities management, construction management, budgeting, policy, planning, and engineering positions within the US Navy, including leadership roles within Navy Installations Command, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, and Naval Education and Training Command.

He holds a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Purdue University.

Lisa Sanford, Acting Deputy Secretary for Diversity, Inclusivity, and Small Business Opportunities

For over six years, Ms. Sanford has served as the Director for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of General Services’ Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities (BDISBO). She has over thirty-five years of experience as a staunch advocate for small business programs. Her depth of experience comes from her career with two international accounting firms that are federal contractors and serving as a Director with the State of Maryland Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, & Women’s Business Affairs. Within the last five years, Ms. Sanford led a team that revised and implemented major policy changes for the Commonwealth that has led to over $1 billion in payments to small businesses for the past two fiscal years and proposed legislation to codify the programs for long-term consistency. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is now recognized as one of the top leaders regarding small business socio-economic program in the United States of America.

Ms. Sanford has a BA in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh,is a member and instructor of the American Contract Compliance Association, and has earned the highest Executive Certified Master Compliance Administrator professional certification in the industry.

She serves on the Commonwealth Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Committee, is a member of the Diversity, and Inclusion Professionals of Central Pennsylvania (DIPCPA), the Racial Equity Steering Committee for the Commonwealth, and participated as a facilitator for the Commonwealth Anti-Racism Book Club. Ms. Sanford was also named as one of 2019 Women of Influence by Central Penn Business Journal and 50 over 50 Awardee in 2022 by City & State Magazine.

Shawn Smith, Chief Counsel

Shawn Smith serves as the chief counsel for the Department of General Services. In this position, he provides advice, counsel, and expertise on complex and sensitive department legal matters to senior executive officials and the Office of General Counsel. He oversees a staff of attorneys and support staff who cover the department’s legal needs in procurement, real estate, non-highway construction projects, Capitol Police, facilities & maintenance, and litigation for the department. In addition, the office covers government operations and human resources issues.

Smith has more than 21 years of legal experience with 17 of those years with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Having most recently served as the deputy chief counsel with the Governor's Office of General Counsel, the Department of General Services since 2016, and also as the department's Policy Director since 2020.

Smith has served as both executive general counsel and deputy general counsel in the Governor's Office of General Counsel, where he oversaw all areas of contracting, grants, procurement and regulations for the 36 executive agencies under the governor's jurisdiction and the 500 attorneys of the Office of General Counsel. In addition, he served as the assistant counsel/prosecuting attorney for the Governor's Office of General Counsel, Department of State.

Smith holds a bachelor of art degrees in history and legal studies with a minor in philosophy from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his juris doctorate from the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University.

Claire Ramsay, Executive Residence Director

Claire Ramsay serves as the department's executive director of the Governor's Residence.

The Office of the Governor's Residence upholds the integrity of the Governor's residence and grounds by providing administrative, domestic, housekeeping, landscaping, and maintenance services.

In her position, Claire plans, organizes and supervises the activities of the personnel assigned to the care of the Governor's Residence, coordinating functions and activities into a smooth and efficient operation to ensure maximum comfort, attention and services to the First Family and visitors.

The Office of the Governor's Residence manages multiple projects and initiatives. Recently, the office's portfolio has encompassed strategic direction for the Governor's Residence public brand and creating an enjoyable, memorable and top-tier end-to-end guest experience.

Prior to becoming the executive director of the Governor's Residence, Claire served as the DGS director of strategic operations from 2021 to 2023. In this role, she helped remove interagency and external communication barriers; developed performance management systems to measure success; increased employee engagement; streamlined processes to reduce waste and inefficiency; facilitated meetings and trainings; and supported DGS in delivering exceptional service for its diverse customers. Claire also served as the chief of the DGS Bureau of Publications, Administration, and Customer Service Division from 2018 to 2021. She oversaw the bureau's fiscal activity, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, as well as administrative activities, such as procurement, customer service, and marketing to ensure the health of the bureau. Her efforts enabled the bureau to deliver quality print, mail, and design while serving as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.

Claire also served in the COSTARS program as a program manager and marketing manager. Her career with the commonwealth began at the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue where she was a lottery drawing official/clerk typist 3.

Claire studied at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, and graduated from the Pennsylvania Office of Administration's Leadership Development Institute in 2019 and the Emerging Leader Program in 2016.

Chris Grill, Director of Strategic Operations

Chris Grill serves as the Director of Strategic Operations for the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS). In this role, Chris is responsible for supporting the department's strategic goals, measuring performance and tracking success.  He also works w​ith the various bureaus within DGS to identify opportunities for improvement and facilitate the problem solving process and implementation of solutions. 

Prior to joining DGS, Chris held various roles within healthcare administration working to improve processes and meet strategic goals, all to make health easier for patients and communities.

A graduate of the United States Military Academy, at West Point, Chris served in the United States Army as a Medical Operations Officer.  He also holds a master's degree in business administration from Temple University's Fox School of Business.   ​

Eric Veronikis, Communications Director

Eric Veronikis serves as Director of Communications. He is the spokesperson for the Department of General Services (DGS) media relations and public information programs. He oversees professional public relations and strategic communications work, directing the state-wide communications program for the department. 

Prior to joining DGS, Eric served as Communications Liaison for Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. He is a veteran journalist, having worked as a reporter for The Patriot-News/PennLive and other Pennsylvania newspapers and websites.

Eric holds a bachelor's degree in English from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania​. He lives in Harrisburg with his wife, two children, and dog, Teddy. 

Eryn Spangler, Director of Legislative Affairs

Eryn Spangler serves as the director of legislative affairs for the Department of General Services (DGS). In this capacity, she is the liaison for DGS in the department’s dealings with the General Assembly and the Governor’s Office of Legislative Affairs.

Eryn’s primary roles as a director are assisting with legislative and constituent inquiries related to DGS program areas, spearheading legislative priorities and initiatives of the department, and providing guidance on legislative measures brought forward by the General Assembly.

Prior to joining DGS in June of 2022, Eryn’s experience in Pennsylvania state government began in 2016 and has included working with the Governor’s Office of Policy and Planning, the Governor’s Office of Communications, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and the Senate Democratic Caucus.

In her current role, Eryn utilizes the knowledge gained through her previous experiences in policy, communications, and legislative affairs to advocate for DGS and the essential services the department provides to the commonwealth.

Eryn is a graduate of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history.

Sandra Aguilera, Policy Director

Sandra Aguilera serves as the Policy Director, in this position, she is responsible for recommending changes in policy to improve efficiency and effectiveness for a better functioning agency and government. She helps guide, coordinate, and lead major internal and external policy initiatives for the Governor’s Office and DGS Secretary. Aguilera helps ensure alignment among the Offices of Communications, Legislative Affairs, Chief Counsel, and relevant program areas.

Prior to coming to DGS, Sandra Aguilera served as the Deputy Director of Civic Engagement for the Bureau of Elections at the Department of State. She has worked in public service for a decade including working for a federally elected official. While there she led all engagement and outreach efforts for the south-central region. Aguilera holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Penn State Harrisburg and a B.S. in Communications and Public Relations from Millersville University. She lives in Cumberland County with her family and their dog, Ali.

Mike Ishman, Digital Director

Mike Ishman serves as the digital director for the Department of General Services. In this role, Mike is responsible for the development of the department's digital strategies - including optimizing web and social media content and maintaining the agency's digital footprint. Mike also works with the various bureaus within DGS to explore opportunities to elevate digital services and reach Pennsylvanians where they are.

Before joining DGS, Mike served as the digital director for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. He developed and implemented the department's digital strategy, expanding the department's reach further than what was previously achieved.

Mike is a graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor's degree in English. He lives in Harrisburg with his wife and dogs.