Center City lawyer to advise Corbett

Gov.-elect Tom Corbett has selected the chairman of the Center City law firm Saul Ewing L.L.P. as his top legal adviser, he announced Wednesday.

Corbett appointed Stephen Aichele, 62, of Tredyffrin, Chester County, to serve as his general counsel.

On Monday, Corbett nominated Aichele's wife, Carol, a Chester County commissioner, to be Pennsylvania's secretary of state, who oversees state elections as well as the licensing of 800,000 business and health professionals.

Corbett also nominated Barry J. Schoch, 50, a transportation engineering manager from the Harrisburg area, to head the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Stephen Aichele specializes in real estate law and has taught a course in real estate development finance for more than 20 years as an adjunct professor at Temple University's Beasley School of Law.

His law firm biography states that Aichele represented the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority in its expansion, which is near completion.

Aichele previously served as vice chairman of the authority's board of directors.

The biography also describes Aichele, the firm's former managing partner, as Saul Ewing's "public ambassador through participation and leadership in community affairs and in numerous business, civic, and political organizations in which the firm participates."

Saul Ewing donated more than $40,000 to Corbett's gubernatorial campaign, according to campaign reports available online from the state.

Carol Aichele donated $17,650 to Corbett's campaign from personal funds, from her local campaign committee, and through in-kind contributions.

Stephen Aichele has served as chairman of the Board of Supervisors in Tredyffrin Township, and is retired from the Naval Reserve with the rank of captain.

"Steve has an outstanding record of service and success, both in his community and the business world," Corbett said in his written announcement.

Schoch, Corbett's choice to lead PennDot, is a vice president at McCormick Taylor Inc., working out of the engineering firm's Harrisburg office.

"Barry Schoch brings more than 28 years of experience in planning and developing transportation systems," Corbett said.

The nominations of Schoch and Carol Aichele require confirmation by the state Senate.