New Southwest Regional Director Named by Rendell

Governor Ed Rendell has named a new Director of his Southwest Regional Offices: John Paul Jones, formerly a special assistant to the commonwealth's Secretary of General Services, will replace the outgoing Allen Kukovich in the stewardship position. While crediting Kukovich for his fine work, Rendell also calls Jones "a strong asset" and the "right person to fill this position." In the past, Jones coordinated state oversight of the Penguins' new arena construction and served as the project manager for the sale of the Pittsburgh State Office Building and the shutdown of Mayview State Hospital. Jones says though he's excited to continue working with the Penguins and with the sale of the closed Mayview, he will make the region's economy his point of focus. A native of Sheridan, Jones earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh and his Bachelor of Science Degree from Carnegie Mellon University.