William J. Green Dies, Was Notable Pittsburgh Political Analyst

PITTSBURGH, PA — Bill Green was one of the few constants in the otherwise unpredictable Pittsburgh political arena.

His career steeped in the often contentious world of Pennsylvania government, Mr. Green’s perspective was framed by his considerable political expertise. The savvy public relations executive regularly shared his insights on TV and radio stations on election nights or after the eruption of the latest elected official’s scandal or controversy.

William J. Green, of Sewickley, died Sunday. He was 75.

A Butler native, Mr. Green perhaps was best known as a political analyst for WPXI-TV and the Pittsburgh Cable News Channel. But he also was a frequent contributor to WQED-TV’s former “4802” program and host of KDKA-AM’s “Political Drive.”

Mr. Green also was an executive producer at KDKA, where his efforts won him a Western Pennsylvania Press Club Golden Quill Award for outstanding journalistic achievement. He also was a member of the KQV news team in 1968.

Mr. Green graduated from Point Park University and was named a distinguished alumnus in 1999.

Mr. Green served as press secretary and deputy director of communications for former
Pennsylvania Gov. Richard Thornburgh, who was in office from 1979 to 1987. He gained national prominence in 1979 serving as the state spokesman during the crisis involving the Three Mile Island nuclear facility.

Mr. Green also held positions with the state Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Resources, but his involvement in state government didn’t end there. In 1994, he joined Gov.-elect Tom Ridge’s transition team for environment and energy issues that meticulously analyzed all aspects of DER operations.

His service on the transition team led to Ridge appointing Mr. Green to the Sports and Exposition Facilities Task Force. The panel analyzed the effect new sports-related buildings would have on Pennsylvania’s future and recommended increasing funding for the facilities.

Mr. Green also was a successful businessman. He founded William J. Green & Associates, a public affairs and strategic communications firm that for more than a quarter-century aided Fortune 500 clients, small businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Mr. Green's mother, Rita Ann Green, died Jan. 7 at the age of 101.

Funeral arrangements for Mr. Green are pending.

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