Reggie McNeil was unanimously confirmed on June 7, 2023 by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve as Pennsylvania’s 11th Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS), making him the first African American to hold that cabinet position. Governor Josh Shapiro nominated McNeil on February 1, 2023.
As secretary of the Department of General Services, McNeil oversees Pennsylvania’s state government operating agency responsible for the procurement of goods and services, the management of non-highway capital projects, the management of the commonwealth’s real estate portfolio, increasing and advancing contracting opportunities for small and small diverse businesses, the expansion of energy sustainability and conservation activities, and the maintenance and protection of state-owned buildings and facilities.
McNeil is a proven leader with over 27 years of commitment and service to our nation and public schools. He also prides himself on a career advocating for inclusiveness and greater transparency in government operations.
Most recently, he was the chief operating officer of The School District of Philadelphia – the largest urban school district in Pennsylvania and the eighth-largest school district in the nation. Highlights of his career in public education include the development of a comprehensive district-wide school facility improvement plan, reducing the backlog of maintenance work orders by over 20% in less than one year, and improvements to customer service and processes.
McNeil’s long history of servant leadership began as a naval officer in the United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps where he gained executive-level experience in facilities management. His expertise and knowledge span the procurement of goods and services, capital improvements, design management, maintenance production control, real estate, and staff development through training and coaching. He served as the top executive assistant to the Navy Systems Command, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), responsible for the Navy’s worldwide infrastructure and engineering services at the Navy Facilities Engineering Command.
After a 22-year career in the Navy, McNeil transitioned into public education, serving as executive director of Capital Programs in the Charleston County School District in Charleston, South Carolina, before serving as the chief operating officer of the School District of Philadelphia.
McNeil earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Memphis, a Master of Science in construction engineering management from the University of Florida, and a technical project management certificate from The Citadel. He is currently enrolled in Yale University’s School of Management, pursuing a public education leadership certificate.