Meet The Executive Team
Learn more about each member of the Department of General Services' executive team, including their responsibilities, professional accomplishments, and education.
Reggie McNeil, Secretary
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.
Matt Flinner, Executive Deputy Secretary
Matt Flinner joined the Department of General Services as Chief of Staff in July 2022, and moved into the Executive Deputy Secretary role in June 2023. In this role, he supports the Secretary and executive leadership team in overseeing the daily operations of the agency's lines of business, implementing and prioritizing strategic organizational objectives, and developing a data-driven performance management framework.
Prior to joining DGS, Matt served as Director of Transformation at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry where his team led the commonwealth in number of process improvement projects, repositioned the agency's brand strategy, supported the launch of IT modernization projects, and developed a leadership development program. Before serving in the Commonwealth, he led education outreach and strategic planning initiatives at the Better Business Bureau in St. Louis, Missouri. Matt has 16 years of private sector experience in business development, customer service, operations, project management, and continuous improvement.
Matt is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Columbia, where he earned his bachelor's degree in business management.
Brian Esposito, Deputy Secretary for Procurement
Brian Esposito has served as the Deputy Secretary of Procurement as of September 11, 2023. In this role, Brian leads the efforts of DGS's bureaus of procurement, vehicle management, and supplies and surplus.
Brian joined the Department of General Services in January 2023 as Chief Procurement Officer after over thirteen years in public sector procurement with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York (MTA). Brian has held staff and management positions including Customer Service Specialist, Special Duty Supervisor, Senior Process Specialist, Associate Staff Analyst, Purchasing Supervisor, Manager-Capital Construction/Program Management, and Assistant Director of Material Management, gaining exposure to and experience with all aspects of supply chain & procurement. Prior to joining the MTA, Brian enjoyed a short stint with American Lawyer Media and multi-year experience working the other side of the desk as an account executive for Ricoh Business Solutions, providing a different perspective for purchasing, negotiation and contract structure.
Brian holds a bachelor's degree in Corporate Communications from the College of Staten Island (part of the City University of New York system), and enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters.
Kerry L. Kirkland, Deputy Secretary for Diversity, Inclusion & Small Business Opportunities
Mr. Kirkland serves as the senior public official to represent and advise Governor Josh Shapiro's Administration and the Department on all matters related to the development of statewide policies and programs to substantially increase the participation of small diverse businesses (SDBs) and small businesses (SBs) in Commonwealth contracting and in Pennsylvania's overall economy.
Under his leadership, the Department of General Services (DGS) commissioned the first Commonwealth Disparity Study, purchased a state-of-the-art contract compliance data collection and tracking system, and implemented the Commonwealth's Small and Small Diverse Business development program.
He formally served as Associate Deputy Administrator and Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration; Vice President, U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce; and Executive Director, Pennsylvania Democratic Party. Mr. Kirkland is the Co-Founder of the American Contract Compliance Association, the largest membership-based contract compliance training organization in the world. He is the founder of the African American Political and Leadership Roundtable.
Mr. Kirkland served with a four-member delegation from the United States to South Africa. While there, he facilitated equity management training and provided technical advice to members of President Nelson Mandela's leadership team.
Mr. Kirkland is the recipient of numerous distinguished awards, including: the W.E.B. Dubois Award for Excellence, the Parren J. Mitchell Award for Outstanding Minority Business Development Service, the Arthur A. Fletcher Vanguard Award, and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Civil Rights Award.
He holds a Master's Degree in Human Services (MHS) from Lincoln University. Mr. Kirkland is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and is an Honorably Discharged United States Air Force (Vietnam) Veteran.
Vacant - Deputy Secretary for Administration
Jason Snyder, Deputy Secretary for Property and Asset Management
Jason Snyder serves as the acting deputy secretary for Property and Asset Management. In this position, he oversees property administration, police & safety, facilities & maintenance management, energy &resource management, and energy sustainability initiatives for the commonwealth.
With more than 17 years of state government service, all with DGS, Snyder most recently worked as the director of the Bureau of Facilities Management where he oversaw the area of the agency responsible for maintenance projects; custodial, grounds, and the various trade operations in the Capitol Complex, state office buildings in Reading and Scranton, and the executive residence. Snyder has held a number of positions throughout his career since he started at the department's carpenter shop.
Greg Kirk, Deputy Secretary for Capital Programs
Greg Kirk serves as the acting deputy secretary for Capital Programs. In this position, he leads a team of design, construction, and administrative professionals who oversee the management of state government, non-highway capital construction projects through the bureaus of Capital Projects Planning and Procurement, Capital Projects Design Management, Capital Projects Construction, and Workplace Operations.
Greg is a US Navy veteran and leverages more than 20 years of experience in managing large and diverse capital programs. He most recently held a leadership role for NVR, Inc., where he was responsible for leading facility expansion and capital investment programs for the company’s Building Products Manufacturing Division. Before that, he held various facilities management, construction management, budgeting, policy, planning, and engineering positions within the US Navy, including leadership roles within Navy Installations Command, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, and Naval Education and Training Command.
He holds a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Purdue University.
Shawn Smith, Chief Counsel
Shawn Smith serves as the chief counsel for the Department of General Services. In this position, he provides advice, counsel, and expertise on complex and sensitive department legal matters to senior executive officials and the Office of General Counsel. He oversees a staff of attorneys and support staff who cover the department’s legal needs in procurement, real estate, non-highway construction projects, Capitol Police, facilities & maintenance, and litigation for the department. In addition, the office covers government operations and human resources issues.
Smith has more than 21 years of legal experience with 17 of those years with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Having most recently served as the deputy chief counsel with the Governor's Office of General Counsel, the Department of General Services since 2016, and also as the department's Policy Director since 2020.
Smith has served as both executive general counsel and deputy general counsel in the Governor's Office of General Counsel, where he oversaw all areas of contracting, grants, procurement and regulations for the 36 executive agencies under the governor's jurisdiction and the 500 attorneys of the Office of General Counsel. In addition, he served as the assistant counsel/prosecuting attorney for the Governor's Office of General Counsel, Department of State.
Smith holds a bachelor of art degrees in history and legal studies with a minor in philosophy from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his juris doctorate from the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University.
Claire Ramsay, Executive Residence Director
Claire Ramsay serves as the department's executive director of the Governor's Residence.
The Office of the Governor's Residence upholds the integrity of the Governor's residence and grounds by providing administrative, domestic, housekeeping, landscaping, and maintenance services.
In her position, Claire plans, organizes and supervises the activities of the personnel assigned to the care of the Governor's Residence, coordinating functions and activities into a smooth and efficient operation to ensure maximum comfort, attention and services to the First Family and visitors.
The Office of the Governor's Residence manages multiple projects and initiatives. Recently, the office's portfolio has encompassed strategic direction for the Governor's Residence public brand and creating an enjoyable, memorable and top-tier end-to-end guest experience.
Prior to becoming the executive director of the Governor's Residence, Claire served as the DGS director of strategic operations from 2021 to 2023. In this role, she helped remove interagency and external communication barriers; developed performance management systems to measure success; increased employee engagement; streamlined processes to reduce waste and inefficiency; facilitated meetings and trainings; and supported DGS in delivering exceptional service for its diverse customers. Claire also served as the chief of the DGS Bureau of Publications, Administration, and Customer Service Division from 2018 to 2021. She oversaw the bureau's fiscal activity, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, as well as administrative activities, such as procurement, customer service, and marketing to ensure the health of the bureau. Her efforts enabled the bureau to deliver quality print, mail, and design while serving as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.
Claire also served in the COSTARS program as a program manager and marketing manager. Her career with the commonwealth began at the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue where she was a lottery drawing official/clerk typist 3.
Claire studied at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, and graduated from the Pennsylvania Office of Administration's Leadership Development Institute in 2019 and the Emerging Leader Program in 2016.
Vacant - Director of Strategic Operations
Vacant - Communications Director
Eryn Spangler, Director of Legislative Affairs
Eryn Spangler serves as the director of legislative affairs for the Department of General Services (DGS). In this capacity, she is the liaison for DGS in the department’s dealings with the General Assembly and the Governor’s Office of Legislative Affairs.
Eryn’s primary roles as a director are assisting with legislative and constituent inquiries related to DGS program areas, spearheading legislative priorities and initiatives of the department, and providing guidance on legislative measures brought forward by the General Assembly.
Prior to joining DGS in June of 2022, Eryn’s experience in Pennsylvania state government began in 2016 and has included working with the Governor’s Office of Policy and Planning, the Governor’s Office of Communications, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and the Senate Democratic Caucus.
In her current role, Eryn utilizes the knowledge gained through her previous experiences in policy, communications, and legislative affairs to advocate for DGS and the essential services the department provides to the commonwealth.
Eryn is a graduate of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history.
Sandra Aguilera, Policy Director
Sandra Aguilera serves as the Policy Director, in this position, she is responsible for recommending changes in policy to improve efficiency and effectiveness for a better functioning agency and government. She helps guide, coordinate, and lead major internal and external policy initiatives for the Governor’s Office and DGS Secretary. Aguilera helps ensure alignment among the Offices of Communications, Legislative Affairs, Chief Counsel, and relevant program areas.
Prior to coming to DGS, Sandra Aguilera served as the Deputy Director of Civic Engagement for the Bureau of Elections at the Department of State. She has worked in public service for a decade including working for a federally elected official. While there she led all engagement and outreach efforts for the south-central region. Aguilera holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Penn State Harrisburg and a B.S. in Communications and Public Relations from Millersville University. She lives in Cumberland County with her family and their dog, Ali.
Mike Ishman, Digital Director
Mike Ishman serves as the digital director for the Department of General Services. In this role, Mike is responsible for the development of the department's digital strategies - including optimizing web and social media content and maintaining the agency's digital footprint. Mike also works with the various bureaus within DGS to explore opportunities to elevate digital services and reach Pennsylvanians where they are.
Before joining DGS, Mike served as the digital director for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. He developed and implemented the department's digital strategy, expanding the department's reach further than what was previously achieved.
Mike is a graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor's degree in English. He lives in Harrisburg with his wife and dog.