Sandra Aguilera becomes acting secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of General Services

Sandra Aguilera became acting secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of General Services on Aug. 1, 2026, following the end of Reggie McNeil’s service as the agency’s secretary on July 31.

The leadership transition was announced July 22 by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office. McNeil had served as secretary for more than three years, according to the announcement.

Aguilera’s designation is an acting appointment. The governor’s office announcement did not provide a date for appointing a permanent secretary of the Department of General Services.

Transition at a department with statewide responsibilities

The Department of General Services handles major state-government operations, procurement and facilities. The governor’s office said the transition to Aguilera was intended to ensure continuity of leadership at the department.

That makes the change relevant across the state-government functions managed by DGS. The approved announcement identifies a change in departmental leadership, rather than a change in the department’s programs or procurement operations.

The dates set out by the governor’s office establish a direct handoff: McNeil’s service concluded July 31, and Aguilera began as acting secretary the following day, Aug. 1. The announcement was issued in advance of both effective dates, on July 22.

No separate Aug. 1 operational update from DGS was located in the approved source packet. As a result, the confirmed development is the leadership transition itself and the stated purpose of maintaining continuity.

Aguilera’s department and state-government experience

Before taking the acting secretary position, Aguilera served in two senior Department of General Services roles: executive deputy secretary and policy director.

Her previous public service also included work with the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Elections. The governor’s office said Aguilera has more than a decade of public-service experience.

The announcement cited that experience in outlining the transition. It did not announce a new DGS policy, procurement initiative or facilities program alongside Aguilera’s appointment.

McNeil’s departure closes a tenure of more than three years as secretary. The source announcement does not state a reason for his departure, and it does not describe his next role.

What is known next

As of Aug. 1, Aguilera is serving as acting secretary. The governor’s office did not set out a timetable for selecting or appointing a permanent departmental leader.

For now, the announced arrangement places Aguilera, formerly the agency’s executive deputy secretary and policy director, in the acting role while DGS continues its statewide responsibilities for government operations, procurement and facilities.

The governor’s office characterized the appointment as a continuity measure. Beyond the effective dates, Aguilera’s prior experience and the department’s broad responsibilities, the approved announcement provides no further details about operational changes connected to the transition.

Sources

• Gov Shapiro Announces Leadership Transition at PA Department of General Services, Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania