Torsella, Joseph M., 1963-

The 77th treasurer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania brings a record of leadership and integrity to Treasury that spans 25 years of public service. Ambassador (Ret.) Joseph M. Torsella was elected on November 8, 2016, and was sworn into office on January 17, 2017.

As the treasurer of Pennsylvania, Torsella oversees an office of 360 employees, which protects nearly $100 billion in state assets. The Pennsylvania treasurer or his designee serves on approximately 20 boards on Treasury’s behalf and chairs the Board of Finance & Revenue. He administers the unclaimed property program, manages the state’s 529 College and Career Savings Program and safeguards the financial health of the state.

Previously, from 2011-2014 Torsella served as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, for budget and management reform. He was the architect and chief public spokesperson for the Obama Administration plans for reform of the $36 billion United Nations system. Between 2011 and 2014, Torsella advocated for United Nations budget restraint and achieved an unprecedented level of transparency, including webcasting of UN meetings and publication of United Nations audits.

Torsella also served as chair of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. Under Torsella’s leadership, a milestone reform meant to strengthen high school graduation requirements was passed, requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in core subjects such as math, science, English and social studies before they can receive a diploma. Additionally, the Board took steps towards improved school safety and accessibility and affordability of higher education.

Torsella was the founding president and CEO of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, a non-profit museum and education complex. In 1997, after nearly a decade of financially troubled planning following the signing of the Constitution Heritage Act by President Ronald Reagan, Torsella spearheaded the project by raising $185 million in private and public funds and forming a board of trustees, and the National Constitution Center opened on July 4, 2003. Under his leadership, the Center became the permanent home of the annual Liberty Medal ceremony, which has celebrated former U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Torsella’s tenure at the National Constitution Center has been described by the Philadelphia Inquirer as a “resounding success” by a “modern-day founding father.”

As Philadelphia’s deputy mayor for policy and planning under then-Mayor Ed Rendell in the early 1990s, Torsella helped develop initiatives to resolve the city’s $1.25 billion deficit in “one of the most stunning turnarounds in the nation,” as stated by the New York Times.

In addition to his career in public service, Torsella served a co-chair of the Greater Philadelphia bid for the 2016 Olympic Games, is a former successful small business owner, has served on several corporate boards and was a Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Public Policy at Drexel University.

Raised in Berwick, Pa., Torsella is a graduate of Wyoming Seminary preparatory school and an honors graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Phi Beta Kappa, with a degree in economics and history. He studied American History at New College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar. He lives in Flourtown with his wife Carolyn, and they are proud parents to four children.