President and CEO Cranmer Consultants
Bob Cranmer has been involved with Pittsburgh, PA Government since 1990 as a former elected official or as a Pittsburgh government relations consultant. He represents a spectrum of different of clients, which include governmental entities such as:
Allegheny County Housing Authority, and the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County
Non-profits such as: Family Links, the Pittsburgh Opera, and the River City Brass Band.
Corporations which have included: L. Robert Kimball & Associates, Mistick Construction, and Bombardier Transportation.
Bob’s area of expertise is “bi-partisan” relationship management includes local city and county governments, as well as the entire State government in Harrisburg.
Bob is a native of Pittsburgh, growing up in the borough of Brentwood where he still resides with his wife Lesa. He graduated from Brentwood High School in 1974 and Duquesne University in 1978, upon which he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army. Bob went on to serve nine years in the active army, several of which as a Company Commander in the 101st Airborne Division. He also served in the United States Army Reserve with the rank of Major during the Persian Gulf War commanding a Military Intelligence unit. Bob’s employment has included positions with AT&T Bell Laboratories, AT&T Corporate Marketing, and Communications Technologies Group, LTD. Kimball & Associates, and most recently the Harrisburg lobbying firm of Pugliese Associates, managing the Pittsburgh office.
In politics, Bob was elected to Brentwood Council in 1991 where he initiated an economic development corporation, which generated over 30 million dollars of new development. It now serves several municipalities and is a model for other communities. In 1995 he was elected Allegheny County Commissioner where he served as chairman of the board. As a Commissioner Bob ushered in sweeping changes to county government, reducing county taxes in excess of 50 million dollars per year, reducing county personnel by 18%, reorganizing county government from forty-one departments to six, creating the position of County Manager, a county 911 system, and forming a city/county economic development organization which generated several billion dollars worth of new projects and related economic development.
He led the effort to establish home rule in Allegheny County, which created the position of County Executive and County Council. His other notable accomplishments include the construction of PNC Park, Heinz Field, and the new David L. Lawrence Convention Center. He was also a driving force behind the creation of the Allegheny County Airport Authority to manage the Pittsburgh International Airport.
Cranmer Consultants Federal Practice
For over 25 years John has established a successful experience base in both the private and public sectors. As a senior management professional, John’s experience spans government and community relations, marketing, sales, education and business development.
John’s bi-partisan approach to government and community relations is well-known and respected. His varied experiences stretch from town hall to the halls of Congress.
John served as Chief Executive Assistant to the late U.S. Senator John Heinz and has been a government affairs specialist for both the steel and coal industries.
As a life-long resident of Green Tree Borough, John has served as Mayor-(was” Runner-Up Mayor of the Year” in the State of Pennsylvania), President of Borough Council, a Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.
As a community leader, John serves as the Chairman of Board for the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, as a Board Member of Pittsburgh’s New Year’s Eve” First Night”, The Three Rivers Arts Festival, and Sarah Heinz House.
John also serves as a senior consultant to the Gary E. West College of Business and Adjunct Professor at West Liberty University in West Virginia. John has a BS degree from West Liberty University and a MS degree from Duquesne University. He is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) through the U.S. Green Building Council.