PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Kenney today named Stephanie Tipton as Acting Chief Administrative Officer, and announced that the Civil Service Commission has voted to approve Michael Zaccagni as Interim Personnel Director. The City is conducting searches to fill both positions on a permanent basis.
The announcements will take effect June 17, 2019, following the resignation of Christine Derenick-Lopez, who has been serving in both roles. Derenick-Lopez has served as Chief Administrative Officer since December, 2016, and was named Interim Personnel Director in October, 2018. Derenick-Lopez is leaving the City for a position in the private sector.
“I wish Christine Derenick-Lopez nothing but the best, but I regret that the City is losing such a dedicated, knowledgeable and talented public servant,” said Mayor Kenney. “During her tenure, Christine pushed for innovation and modernization across the entire government, and spearheaded important changes in procurement, contracting and human resources. In short, she has been integral to one of this Administration’s pillars: improving the effectiveness and efficiency of City government. I thank her for service, and I know the Office of the CAO is in great hands with Stephanie Tipton.”
Derenick-Lopez has overseen several groundbreaking projects, including implementation of electronic signatures for professional service contracts, saving substantial time in contract conformance with the goal of the City paying vendors more quickly. She has also overseen the launch of its first eProcurement system, PHL Contracts. This new system, along with other modernization efforts, simplifies the contracting process and increases competition.
Derenick-Lopez also spearheaded the proposed charter change for Best Value procurement. Approved by voters in 2017, Best Value is the first modernization of City procurement processes since 1951. She previously served as Chief of Staff and Human Resources Director for the Philadelphia International Airport, and as a senior HR Business Partner with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
Stephanie Tipton has served most recently as Chief of Staff to the Chief Administrative Officer. In that capacity, Tipton directs the day-to-day operations of the Office and works with senior leadership to define, implement, and communicate strategic direction and initiatives within the CAO portfolio. Tipton was previously the City’s Deputy Chief Integrity Officer and Interim Chief Integrity Officer, advising the Mayor, members of the Mayor’s Cabinet and Executive Branch employees on the application of local ethics rules to their daily work.
Tipton has also overseen key procurement and contract-compliance functions, including as a Deputy Procurement Commissioner and as a Deputy Finance Director. In that latter role, Tipton was responsible for overseeing department and business compliance with the City’s landmark anti-pay-to-play legislation. She began her career with the City of Philadelphia as an Assistant Managing Director, overseeing the City’s language access program.
The Civil Service Commission today voted unanimously to select Michael Zaccagni as Interim Personnel Director. “Mike has long been a great asset to this City, and he brings to this post a deep understanding of Philadelphia Civil Service and of best practices in human resources,” said Doris A. Smith, Chair of the Civil Service Commission. “We are pleased to have Mike as Interim Director while we continue our current search for a permanent Director.”
Mike Zaccagni is native Philadelphian with 35 years of service to the City of Philadelphia, holding several leadership roles including Deputy Streets Commissioner for Administration, First Deputy Revenue Commissioner, and Chief of Staff for the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. Mike most recently served as Deputy CAO of Human Resource & Talent.
Throughout his career, Mike has led HR teams and has been responsible for a variety of department-wide functions including budget development and control, performance management, and strategic planning. In addition, Mike has been active in the HR professional community serving in several board positions for Philly SHRM including chapter president.
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) works with City departments, agencies, boards, and commissions to attract and keep a talented and diverse workforce for the City of Philadelphia. The City employs over 25,000 people in more than 1,000 different job categories. OHR is committed to developing careers that make a difference in the lives of others.