GSPIA Alumnus Randy Brockington Honored with the Lucchino Distinguished Service Award
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and County Manager William D. McKain CPA recently presented the Frank J. Lucchino Distinguished Service Award to GSPIA Alumnus Mr. Randolph (Randy) W. Brockington (MPA, '86), Executive Deputy Director of the Office of Administrative and Information Management Services in the Department of Human Services (DHS).
“Often people don’t realize how much what the county does affects them, but most probably know someone positively impacted by our Department of Human Services. Randy has played a huge part in that,” said Fitzgerald. “He epitomizes what a public servant should be, having dedicated his life to improving DHS and our community. It is an absolute privilege to honor him today.”
Deputy Director Brockington was nominated by Marc Cherna, Director of DHS, citing his dedicated service to the county for the past 41 years, 20 of which was spent as Deputy Director in DHS. Citing his steadfast and sincere commitment to forwarding the work of DHS, Director Cherna wrote the following in the nomination: “Randy is an accomplished professional, who has spent his career exemplifying the best traits and practices of a public-service employee: dedication, perseverance, integrity, collegiality, compassion and consummate work ethic.”
Deputy Director Brockington began his career with Allegheny County in 1976. As Executive Deputy Director at DHS, he manages the department’s $867 million budget, 417 contracts with service-provider agencies, eight office locations, and the payroll and training of about 1,000 DHS employees. He also oversees accounts payable, human resources, fixed assets and information systems management.
“I’m very proud that Randy has been selected for the Lucchino Award, and can’t think of anyone more deserving,” said Council Vice President Nick Futules, who is Deputy Director Brockington’s representative on Council. “To give over forty years of service to this county is a significant accomplishment on its own, but the improvements and enhancements that he has been able to bring to DHS and the county have simply been extraordinary. I congratulate him on this great honor.”
During the 1990s, Deputy Director Brockington spearheaded significant DHS reform to integrate administrative functions. He implemented numerous department changes to cut costs and improve overall efficiency, leading to reductions in needed office space, vendor payment time, and contract execution time. He also consolidated administrative staff. He led the way in introducing innovative DHS practices, including electronic approvals for executive actions, e-signatures, and direct deposits of payments to vital populations such as foster parents, and has worked to expedite resources to those in the community who help DHS meet its mission.
“Randy’s service to this county is exactly what we had in mind when we reinstituted the Lucchino Award. Like Judge Lucchino, Randy has given selflessly of his time and talents to this county and has an institutional knowledge that is unmatched,” said McKain. “For the last decade, he has been focused on the finances of Human Services. Being responsible for the financial oversight of our largest department, managing the finances and meeting the mission of the department, is no small task. Randy has done so with great success and, as a result, has served clients of the department well.”
A graduate of Lincoln University, Deputy Director Brockington also holds a master's degree in public administration and finance from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Additionally, he has worked as an Adjunct Associate Professor in Pitt's Public Administration program. He is a former board member of the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation, which aims to prevent child homelessness, and the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. He plays a key leadership role nationally for the Casey Family Programs, which works to reduce the need for foster care. He also is a Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. Class XI graduate, and has earned Renaissance Publications Black Trail Blazers and New Pittsburgh Courier Men of Excellence awards.
Deputy Director Brockington was surprised this afternoon at the Human Services Building, where he thought he was attending an event being held for another purpose. He was honored by the County Executive, Council Vice President Futules, County Manager McKain and other members of the administration and DHS, who announced he was the winner of the 2017 Lucchino Distinguished Service Award. Following remarks, Deputy Director Brockington was presented with a county proclamation from the County Executive, Council Vice President Futules and County Council. He also received a glass paperweight depicting the Allegheny County Courthouse, tickets to either a Steelers or Pirates game, and will be presented with a formal plaque with a photograph from the presentation.
The Frank J. Lucchino Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to an employee or employee group who has exceeded all expectations, made a significant impact upon the county, and has represented the county admirably in his or her actions. The award is intended to recognize and reward exemplary performance by county employees as demonstrated through exceptional efficiency and productivity, customer service, or innovation and creativity. The award was named in honor of The Honorable Frank J. Lucchino, who had a long and distinguished career serving the citizens of Allegheny County. For 20 years, he was the county’s elected Controller (1980-2000) before being elected to the Court of Common Pleas in 2000. He retired in 2016 as a Senior Judge on the Court.