The city’s finance director and treasurer will be leaving city government and moving to a new role at PNC Bank, Mayor Bill Peduto announced Friday.
Douglas Anderson began working for the city in January 2008 as the deputy controller and chief of staff to City Controller Michael Lamb. Peduto appointed him director of finance and city treasurer in September 2020.
With Anderson at the helm, Pittsburgh’s Department of Finance navigated the new financial challenges presented by the covid-19 pandemic, while also working to modernize outdated systems and processes in the department, Peduto’s office said.
Anderson streamlined and improved the process for the purchase of city property, reducing the time it takes to finalize such purchases.
Peduto’s office said Anderson also created a framework to improve land care and maintenance of city-owned properties and remediate blighted properties more efficiently.
He transitioned seven disparate tax collection systems into a single online system, a move city officials said improved tax collection efficiency for employees, while also providing a user-friendly portal for taxpayers that includes online check payments, Peduto’s office said.
“Doug took on the role of Finance Director in one of the most uncertain times in recent financial memory and brought a sense of modern leadership to the department,” Peduto said.
Peduto thanked Anderson for “recognizing that we don’t have to continue to do things the way they’ve always been done, but can create new opportunities for efficiency and transparency.”
While serving in the City Controller’s office, Anderson oversaw several government transparency initiatives, including the creation of Open Book Pittsburgh, a website and searchable database of city contracts, campaign finance contributions to candidates running for office in Pittsburgh and lobbyists that do business in the city.
He also saw the annual preparation of the Popular Annual Financial Report.
Anderson’s last day with the city was Friday. He will be transitioning to a new role at PNC Bank as relationship manager and vice president.
Julia Felton is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Julia at 724-226-7724, jfelton@triblive.com or via Twitter .
