Jim Roddey, 1st Allegheny County executive, has died; officials praise his years of service

Jim Roddey, Allegheny County’s first chief executive, died Thursday.

He served as county executive from 1999 to 2004 and was a former chairman of the county’s Republican committee.

He was 91.

Roddey was honored for his service to the Republican committee at its annual Spirit of Lincoln fundraising dinner at the Westin Convention Center Hotel in February 2016. He stepped down the following month as committee chairman after eight years.

Current Allegheny County Republican Chairman and Councilman-at-Large Sam DeMarco issued the following statement about Roddey’s death:

“Long before he came to Pittsburgh, Jim Roddey was a pioneering businessman and a Marine Corps veteran. Once here, he established himself as a civic leader unlike any other. Not only did he chair the Allegheny County Port Authority, he instructed board members to ride the buses and fully understand the needs of their riders.

“It was as a leader of the Allegheny County Republican Committee that Jim helped to reimagine a once-moribund party and turn it into a force for change. He confounded the political experts by being elected — as a Republican in a Democrat county — the first-ever Allegheny County executive.

“There is not a Republican in office today in our region who does not owe a debt to the strength, imagination and optimism of James C. Roddey. We are so fortunate that this son of the South became the father of the modern Republican Party in Allegheny County.”

Democrat Rick Schwartz was on county council from 2000-03, while Roddey was in office.

He said Roddey was a great professional who knew how to work with everybody to get things done.

“Jim was a very likable man,” Schwartz said. “He was also very set in his ways like most politicians and leaders — you’re always right. (My time on council) is something I’m most proud of. I respected Jim. He respected me. We had 10 Democrats (on council at the time) and a Republican chief executive. We worked on every single bill or it didn’t get passed. It was a unique situation.”

Democrat Dan Onorato followed Roddey as county executive. Onorato is now executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer at Highmark Health.

He wrote: “The passing of Jim Roddey is the end of an era for Allegheny County. While he and I may have been from different political parties, we were firmly aligned on creating a community where families could thrive and businesses could prosper.

During my eight years as Allegheny County Executive, I considered him both a friend and a supporter. His counsel was wise, and his wit was contagious.

Jim was someone who achieved what I have long believed are the most important measures of success — a balance of career, family, friends, and zest for life.”

Rich Fitzgerald finished 12 years as Allegheny County executive in December. He’s now executive director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

He wrote: “It is with great sadness that I learned about the passing of Jim Roddey this evening. Jim helped to usher in the county’s new government in 2000 and served our community in so many ways.

“From his philanthropic efforts to improving our economic climate, the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and all of Southwestern Pennsylvania was made a better place to work and live because of his public service.

“While we sometimes disagreed on political issues, for me personally, he became a mentor and sounding board when I became the county executive. He was always available for me, and gave advice that was sound and rooted in what he believed would benefit county residents.”

Current County Executive Sara Innamorato issued this statement: “We offer our condolences to the Roddey family as they grieve during this difficult time.

“Jim Roddey left an indelible mark on Southwestern Pennsylvania, through his business acumen, philanthropy, and public service.

“With his passing, we remember his commitment not only to this region as a political and civic leader, but also to our nation through his time in the Marines.

“As the first Allegheny County Executive he shaped how a government of 6,000 employees, now with a $3 billion annual budget, serves more than a million of our neighbors across Allegheny County. We are, and will continue to be, grateful for his service.”

Dave Majernik, of Plum, was the Allegheny County Republican Committee’s vice chair while Roddey was chairman.

“He was a true gentleman, a great speaker with a quick wit and mind and a great leader,” Majernik said.