Fourth Scranton Graduate Appointed to PA Governor Cabinet

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced the appointment of Thomas (TJ) Yablonski Jr. '10 to a position in the governor's cabinet as secretary of Legislative Affairs. Yablonski is the fourth Scranton graduate on the cabinet of 22 members.

Effective Oct. 2, he joins Scranton graduates Michael Carroll ’09, Pennsylvania’s secretary of transportation; Jason Kavulich ’97, Pennsylvania’s secretary of aging; and Major Christopher Paris ’99, State Police commissioner; as members of the governor’s cabinet.

“TJ Yablonski brings over a decade of experience serving Pennsylvanians and a deep knowledge of state government to this role. We are proud TJ will be stepping up into this to lead our Office of Legislative Affairs and continue our administration’s work to bring people together and deliver real results for all Pennsylvanians,” said the Governor’s Chief of Staff Dana Fritz in a news release announcing the appointment.

The announcement said that “Yablonski Jr. has spent his entire career serving the people of Pennsylvania, building trusting relationships in Harrisburg and across the Commonwealth, and developing a deep knowledge of Pennsylvania government at all levels.” The announcement also noted Yablonski Jr. had served in a number of senior roles throughout the Wolf administration and previously worked for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Yablonski, of Gouldsboro, graduated as a political science and history double major. At Scranton, he was president of the College Democrats and was among the University students interviewed for a live 2010 BBC radio broadcast that sought American viewpoints on President Obama’s first year in office. The broadcast reached an estimated 1.5 million listeners.