Hails from engineering firm which gave generously to candidate Corbett
Governor-elect Tom Corbett named Barry Schoch, vice president of McCormick Taylor, a Philadelphia-based transportation planning and engineering firm, as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation.
Mr. Schoch has worked in transportation planning for more than a quarter century and Mr. Corbett praised his experience and skill Wednesday.
“He possesses a strong understanding of PennDOT policies, procedures and partners and will provide a wealth of transportation expertise to the administration,” said Mr. Corbett.
Mr. Schoch was one of the chief architects of the state’s failed efforts to place tolls on Interstate 80. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission – before receiving the final approval from the federal government – paid McCormick Taylor more than $22 million over the course of three years to complete engineering and preliminary design work on the project I-80 tolling project.
The Federal Highway Administration ultimately declined the state’s application for the tolling project.
In June, Mr. Schoch said the funds paid to McCormick Taylor went to a variety of engineering and design projects, some of which would still be used by the turnpike even with the denial of the I-80 tolling plan. Others were required by the federal government as part of the state’s three tolling applications.
As vice president, Mr. Schoch is involved in all MCormick Taylor transportation projects in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Mr. Schoch must be confirmed by the state Senate before taking over the Department of Transportation, which now faces an annual shortfall of $472 million as a result of the failure of the I-80 tolling plan. In addition, the state Transportation Advisory Commission last year recommended an annual increase of $3 billion in transportation-specific funding to deal with the state’s aging infrastructure.
Unlike several of Mr. Corbett’s other cabinet nominees, Mr. Schoch has not made campaign contributions to the governor-elect within the last two years, though he has contributed to members of the General Assembly on both sides of the aisle and to Auditor General Jack Wagner.
Mr. Corbett did receive significant political contributions from Theodore Foglietta, Jr., president of McCormick Taylor and Mr. Schoch’s boss. Mr. Foglietta donated $61,000 to Mr. Corbett’s gubernatorial campaign over the last two years.
Wednesday, Mr. Corbett also named Stephen Aichele as General Counsel of the Commonwealth. The position does not require Senate confirmation.
Mr. Aichele is chairman of the politically-connected Philadelphia law firm of Saul Ewing LLP. His wife, Carol Aichete, was nominated Monday by Mr. Corbett for the post of Secretary of the Commonwealth.
As PA Independent reported Monday, the Saul Ewing law firm donated more than $42,000 to Mr. Corbett’s gubernatorial campaign over the last two years.
Wednesday, Mr. Corbett called Mr. Aichele a highly regarded real estate attorney who has represented both public and private entities.
“Steve has an outstanding record of service and success, both in his community and the business world,” Corbett said. “His wisdom and experience will be a tremendous asset.”
