White Plains, NY - Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino has announced the appointment of Jay T. Pisco, an engineer and executive manager with over 30 years of experience, as Commissioner of the Department of Public Works and Transportation.

The appointment follows the retirement of John J. Hsu.

Pisco has experience working on municipal and private projects in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Louisiana and Puerto Rico. He is a licensed engineer in five states and holds a Biomedical Engineering degree from Manhattan College and a Master’s in Computer Science from Iona College. His most recent position was vice president of BSG Engineering, Surveying & Landscape Architecture in White Plains.

“Jay’s deep background managing both the design and construction of projects will be a tremendous asset in evaluating and overseeing the county’s infrastructure, especially at a time when the challenges of delivering services and stretching tax dollars are so great,” Astorino said.
Pisco, 53, is the past president of the Board of Directors for the New York State Chapter of Solid Waste Association of North America. Prior to his position at BSG, Mr. Pisco served as a vice president of HDR Engineering, also in White Plains, and a mechanical engineer with the New York Power Authority and Burns and Roe, a global construction and engineering company based in New Jersey.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve the people of Westchester County,” said Pisco. “County Executive Astorino understands the critical role infrastructure plays in ensuring our economic viability and has been a leader in this area, while keeping costs in line for taxpayers. I look forward to bringing my experience managing both private and municipal projects to the administration.”

Astorino thanked John Hsu for his service, saying: “John has led the department professionally, successfully delivering many important projects over the years. We are thankful for his service to the people of Westchester and wish him the best of luck in his retirement.”

Hsu, whose last day in the office was Friday, is expected to take two weeks of vacation before he formerly hands in his retirement papers. “It’s been a pleasure working with the Astorino administration,” said Hsu. “I’m extremely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. I’ve greatly enjoyed working so many years with the many people in Westchester County government and I wish them much success.”

The salary for this position is $155,245, the same as the outgoing commissioner, John Hsu.