Jon Delano
Adjunct Professor of Public Policy
email: jdelano@andrew.cmu.edu
Professional Experience
Jon Delano is the Money & Politics Editor for KDKA-TV (CBS) in Pittsburgh, columnist for the Pittsburgh Business Times and Political Contributor to WQED-TVs "On Q Magazine." As Adjunct Professor of Public Policy and Politics, his graduate school courses at the Heinz School include such topics as money and politics, legislative policy making, public policy implementation, media and public policy, and campaign management.
As one of Pennsylvania's respected commentators, Jon is recognized for his ability to analyze complex issues and make them understandable to any audience. Having worked in both government and the private business world, practiced law, reported on radio and television, written extensively, and taught at the graduate school level, Jon's combined experiences allow him to speak with some authority about governmental, political, and economic issues.
From 1977 to 1991, Jon worked behind the scenes as chief of staff to former Congressman Doug Walgren, serving as president of the House AA's (chiefs of staff) Association in the mid-1980s. His on-air work began in 1991 as a political analyst for WTAE Radio, appearing on the station's morning news program and in its election night coverage. In 1994, Jon became the political analyst for KDKA-TV and attended both the Republican and Democratic presidential conventions in 1996 and 2000 as a special correspondent for KDKA-TV, working with Ken Rice and Stacy Smith.
In January 2000, Jon was named the political contributor for "On Q Magazine," the evening magazine program on public station WQED-TV. He is also a frequent guest on PCNC's John McIntire "Night Talk" evening broadcast and Fred Honsberger's morning TV show, along with regular appearances on Jerry Bowyer's TV show, "Focus on the Issues," and Eleanor Schano's TV program, "Agewise."
Jon has also been the political analyst for KDKA Radio, the nation's first station to broadcast election returns in the 1920 race. He is also heard every Friday morning on WPTT Radio with Jerry Bowyer in a segment called "The Political Grapevine with Jon Delano.," He is a frequent guest on radio talk shows hosted by Jack Bogut (WJAS Radio), Lynn Cullen (WPTT Radio), JR & Kate (WZPT Radio), and Esther Bush (WAMO Radio).
Besides his on air work, Jon writes a weekly column entitled "Government Busters" for the Pittsburgh Business Times, providing advice to readers on government and business. He is a contributing writer to Pittsburgh Magazine, and his opinion pieces appear in papers across the state, including the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
He has won two Golden Quill awards, a Robert L. Vann award from the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, a Matrix honorable mention from the Women in Communications, and the Clarity Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association for being a lawyer who can write in plain English.
Community Impact
Jon contributes volunteer time to community groups and organizations, often speaking and moderating panels for community groups. A graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh (Year V), Jon is a frequent lecturer to subsequent classes. In 1999, and again in 2002, his law colleagues elected him to the Board of Governors of the Allegheny County Bar Association. He serves on the boards of four local non profit organizations, including the Conflict Resolution Center International, Family Health Council of Western Pennsylvania, Magee Womens Hospital Health Foundation, and Pittsburgh International Children's Theater. He is also active in his church and has served on its governing board.
Jon often moderates and facilitates seminars, candidate debates, and programs and speaks on governmental and political issues to many civic, business, and labor groups. His reputation as an even-handed, non-partisan political analyst has led to his selection as a moderator for many candidate debates, including debates between Ed Rendell, Mike Fisher, and Bob Casey (PA Governor), Rick Santorum and Ron Klink (U.S. Senate), Melissa Hart and Terry Van Horne (U.S. House), Jane Orie and Jim Rooney (state Senate), John Pippy and Paul Gitnik (state Senate), and Jim Roddey and Cyril Wecht (county executive).
Education
John is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Haverford College and received his JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh (Year V).