Harrisburg Communications Director Matt Maisel, right, takes a question at a press conference in 2023 (file photo)
One of Harrisburg’s most visible public officials is moving on, as the city’s spokesperson announced he’s leaving for another job.
On Monday, Communications Director Matt Maisel said that he would depart his post on Sept. 20 to take a position with Penn State Health’s communications team. He described the change as “bittersweet.”
“The last two and a half years have undoubtedly been the most challenging and rewarding of my career, and I will be eternally grateful to Mayor Williams and her former Chief of Staff Dan Hartman for entrusting me with the role,” Maisel said, in a statement.
Early last week, the city posted the job opening and, according to Maisel, already had 25 applicants by Friday.
“We’re thrilled there were that many applicants, and, based on the names I saw, some qualified candidates too,” Maisel said.
The city’s deputy communications director, Melissa Mesones-Ortiz, will serve in the post on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is named, Maisel said.
In recent months, the city has lost several other top officials, including Hartman, former Finance Director Marita Kelley and former Building and Housing Director Dennise Hill, all of whom were hired when Williams took office in January 2022.
Hill was replaced by former City Council President Gloria Martin-Roberts, who is serving on an interim basis. According to Maisel, the city continues to recruit and interview qualified candidates to fill the chief of staff/business administrator and finance director positions.
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