Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel announced his Cabinet picks Wednesday.
“I have assembled a dynamic and highly skilled team united by a shared commitment to making Lehigh County the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Siegel said in a statement. “I am energized by the work ahead and confident in what this team will accomplish for our community.”
The following appointments will be presented at Wednesday’s meeting of the Board of Commissioners:
Director of Administration: Jessica Baraket, who has served as deputy finance director for Allentown since 2021. She holds a master’s degree in school business leadership from Wilkes University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Millersville University.
Director of Corrections: Kyle Russell, warden of the Lehigh County Jail since 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Shippensburg University.
Director of General Services: Andrew Elliot, who has served as the deputy director of public works for Northampton County since 2020 and served as the executive assistant to the director of fiscal affairs from 2018 to 2020. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bloomsburg University.
Fiscal Director: Bethany DiMatteo, who has been the treasury manager for Lehigh County since 2022 and previously served as chief financial officer for Community Action Lehigh Valley. She holds bachelor’s degrees from Penn State and Walden University in addition to a master’s degree in business administration from DeSales University.
Director of Community and Economic Development: Samantha Pearson, former director of development for the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Pearson previously served as the chief of staff to state Rep. Mary Isaacson, D-Philadelphia. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Penn State and holds a master’s degree in business administration/innovation and entrepreneurship from Drexel University.
Solicitor: Sam Cohen, a partner at Gross McGinley who previously served Lehigh County as assistant solicitor. He holds a bachelor of arts in economics from Colgate University and received his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School.
“I set out to build a cabinet that reflects both excellence and purpose. I chose leaders who are deeply respected in their fields, rooted in our community, and ready to help drive meaningful change,” Siegel said. “This is an accomplished, mission-driven team that shares my vision for a stronger, more innovative, and more inclusive Lehigh County. Together, we are ready to move the county forward.”