David Ehrenwerth, a partner with law firm K&L Gates and one-time Republican party loyalist who switched political allegiances during the George W. Bush administration, was appointed by the Obama administration to serve as regional administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration.
In his new position, based in Philadelphia, Mr. Ehrenwerth, a specialist in real estate development, will oversee 750 federal facilities and 1,000 employees in the region that includes Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.
Mr. Ehrenwerth, 63, said he would sever ties with K&L while he holds the federal job, which is expected to be in effect as long as President Barack Obama holds office.
The Pittsburgh-based lawyer said he received a call from the White House Friday informing him of the appointment.
"This is a real estate lawyer's dream," he said in a phone interview Monday. "The White House believed my skills could be properly applied to the GSA, which is the largest real estate developer in the country."
Mr. Ehrenwerth, who said government and politics had been his longtime passion, worked as a volunteer and fundraiser for Mr. Obama's campaign in 2008 and then discussed the possibility of working in the administration with Sen. Bob Casey.
"He encouraged me to try my hand at government," he said of the Pennsylvania Democrat.
A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard Law School, Mr. Ehrenwerth began his legal career in 1972 as assistant attorney general of Pennsylvania. Through that job he got to know prominent Republicans, including the late Sen. John Heinz and former Pennsylvania Gov. Dick Thornburgh, for whom he helped raise money and generate support.
But when John Kerry ran for president in 2004, Mr. Ehrenwerth became active in the Democratic party. "Much like many other people, the Republican party no longer shared the values I shared. It was an easy thing for me to do. My beliefs were with the Democratic party. I never regretted that decision."
Mr. Ehrenwerth's son, Justin, 31, also works in the administration as a special assistant in the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he reports to Cameron Kerry, John Kerry's brother.
First Published: June 22, 2010, 8:00 a.m.