Etna lost a councilman and gained an assistant manager in the same night.
First Ward Councilman Brad Iannuzzi, the council’s vice president, resigned from council effective immediately at its May 19 meeting. He was soon thereafter hired as the borough’s new assistant manager.
His starting salary is $80,000. He is expected to start June 15, borough Manager Mary Ellen Ramage said.
Iannuzzi, a Democrat, was appointed to council in March 2023 and won election to the seat in that year’s general election. He replaced Greg Porter, who resigned in February 2023.
A lifelong Etna resident, Iannuzzi, 32, was the borough’s public works director from 2020 to 2022. He then went to McCandless, where he was public works foreman from 2022 to 2024, when he became public works superintendent there.
Iannuzzi said he will leave employment in McCandless in June.
“I come to this job because I love my community,” Iannuzzi said. “As a person of faith, you always ask what are you called to do. Public service and being in municipal government is what I’ve been called to do. That’s where the Lord leads me. I can’t promise perfection. I can promise every decision I make, the residents of Etna will be in my mind.”
Etna has not had an assistant manager since Ed DeSantis resigned in April 2024, after almost two years in the role, to become executive director of the Butler County Symphony Orchestra.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have an assistant manager in place again and so very excited that it is Brad,” Ramage said, adding they had a great working relationship when he was Etna’s public works director. “He did an excellent job in that position. He has a very strong work ethic and an even stronger love for the community of Etna. His years of experience in local government was also a determining factor in our selection. We could not be more pleased to have him on our team.”
While Iannuzzi said he’ll miss being on council, as assistant manager he said he’ll play a part in shaping the town’s future, using his experience in public works.
“We have a great group of people on council,” he said. “These people are dedicated to the residents of Etna. These people are always working. It’s not an easy gig sometimes.”
Etna is accepting letters of interest from First Ward residents to replace Iannuzzi on council. They are due to Ramage by June 5.
The First Ward of Etna consists of all streets to the northwest side of and including that side of Butler Street to Crescent Avenue/Veteran’s Dougherty Fields.
Applicants must be a registered voter and have resided in Etna for at least one year. The appointee will fill the remaining term through Jan. 3, 2028.
Council is expected to make an appointment to fill Iannuzzi’s First Ward seat during its meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. June 16 at the municipal building, 437 Butler St.