Penn State’s top lobbyist is stepping down after working at the university for nearly two decades.
Zack Moore, vice president for government and community relations, will leave the position on Feb. 2 and will stay on as a special adviser through June 30 before departing the university, according to a Penn State news release. Mike Stefan, assistant vice president for state relations, will succeed Moore as vice president beginning Feb. 3.
“Zack has been a passionate advocate for Penn State, helping to communicate the university’s needs and priorities to elected officials while also showcasing Penn State’s immense impact and value to the commonwealth and nation,” Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said in a statement. “Zack has always represented Penn State with integrity and a genuine love for the university and its mission. I want to thank Zack for his many years of dedicated service to the University. His experience, perspective and wise counsel will be missed.”
Moore, a Penn State alumnus, worked for members of Congress and founded a government consulting firm before returning to his alma mater as director of federal relations in 2007.
He became assistant vice president for government relations in 2012 and was appointed vice president in 2016.
Moore called his work representing Penn State “a source of immense pride and professional fulfillment.”
“It’s been a journey that I could have never anticipated, one that allowed me to lead the Office of Government and Community Relations for seven years and to represent my alma mater for 17 years,” he said in a statement. “I am truly appreciative of the opportunities I’ve had at Penn State, and I will forever cherish the relationships I’ve built in this role. I will always be Penn State proud, and I hope to carry the valuable experiences and lessons learned here with me into the next chapter of my career.”
In a LinkedIn post, Moore wrote that it was a “difficult decision” to step away from the university and explore new opportunities, one that “was not taken lightly,” given his deep connection to Penn State.
“Penn State holds a special place in my heart, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve had here,” he wrote. “I look forward to spending some time to figure out what’s next for me professionally.”
Leading the Office of Government and Community Relations, Moore has been Penn State’s chief lobbyist in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. He and his team have overseen all communications with federal, state and local government officials, developed legislative strategy and policy positions, monitored legislative developments and provided counsel to Penn State leadership, according to the university.
Throughout much of his tenure, Moore has been the university’s point man during multiple state budget impasses, working to secure Penn State’s funding from the commonwealth and advocating for the school during the budget process.
He’s also credited with helping secure the passage of legislation permitting Penn State to refinance its unfunded pension liability, saving the university hundreds of millions of dollars, as well as the commonwealth’s name, image and likeness law for student-athletes, and successfully lobbying for $2.35 million in state funding for the Invent Penn State entrepreneurship and economic development initiative.
Moore is a native of Highspire in Dauphin County and earned his degree in international politics from Penn State in 1994.
