| Kathy Liebler
Director of Public Information
|
C O M M I S S
I O N N
E W S R
E L E A S E
Contact: Lowman S. Henry (717) 939-9551 Ext. # 2934 February 4, 1997
PA TURNPIKE NAMES NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Harrisburg -- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has named J. Blair Fishburn as
its new Deputy Executive Director for Finance and Administration. He will oversee all
Turnpike finance and business matters and will administer the Commission's $158.4 million
annual operating budget.
Fishburn, 42, was a career employee with the International Business Machines (IBM)
Corporation until 1996 when he became a financial consultant on special projects for AMP
Incorporated in Harrisburg. He performed comprehensive financial analyses for AMP for their
distribution sales channel and communications industry products.
During his most recent position at IBM, Fishburn was Manager for Finance & Planning
with IBM Availability Services in Mechanicsburg. In that post, Fishburn performed Chief
Financial Officer (CFO) duties for the unit which works to optimize business processes and
controls between IBM and one of its subsidiaries. During his career at IBM, Fishburn held a
number of jobs including service as a Marketing Representative, Financial Program Manager,
Manager of Financial Planning and Controller, among other jobs.
"Mr. Fishburn's years of professional experience with AMP and IBM, two of our nation's
top corporations, will be a tremendous asset in our efforts to operate the Turnpike in a more
business-like manner," said Commission Chairman James F. Malone, III. "His hiring is the
latest example of the Turnpike's dedication to developing a financial and administrative structure
which will allow us to meet the challenges of operating a safe, reliable and valued toll road
system."
Malone said Fishburn was selected by the Commission following a 7 month national
executive search conducted by Deloitte & Touche. The Turnpike received more than 20
applications for the position.
"I am looking forward to this interesting and exciting opportunity because I think it is a
great match of my corporate business background and skills to the needs of the Finance and
Administration Department and to the entire Turnpike team," said Fishburn. He cited his
primary goals at the Turnpike as: seeing the new management and reorganization plan through
to completion; focusing on process improvements that will optimize organizational efficiency and
performance; providing proactive financial planning & management leadership and, building the
foundation for the long-term financial strength of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
"I believe the Pennsylvania Turnpike will continue to meet its goals of providing premium
customer service and safety, improving financial returns and achieving excellence in the quality
of our people, our processes and our performance results," Fishburn concluded.
The Turnpike's new chief financial officer graduated cum laude from Iona College in New
Rochelle, New York with an MBA in finance and a minor in marketing. He obtained his
Bachelor of Science Degree in 1976 from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Married with
three children, Fishburn coaches youth hockey and baseball. He enjoys golfing, water and snow
skiing, travel and reading.
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P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676 Phone: (717) 939-9551 Fax: (717) 986-9649