Acklin, 42, most recently worked as Chief Legal Officer for Peoples Natural Gas Company. Before that he was Chief of Staff and Chief Development Officer for Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto from 2013-17.
In addition to overseeing the Penguins' legal affairs, Acklin will be responsible for development of the former Civic Arena site.
He will start his new role on November 1. In the meantime, he will be resigning as chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Authority and will attend his final URA meeting this Thursday.
"We've worked closely with Kevin over the past five years during his time with the City and Peoples Natural Gas and have always been very impressed with his work ethic, his intelligence and - maybe most importantly - the relationships he's developed with people throughout the city and the region," Morehouse said. "His experience in legal affairs, in government and in helping to rebuild our city make him a perfect fit for the Penguins as we move forward."
'This is good news for the Lower Hill and good news for affordable, equitable and inclusive development in Pittsburgh," Mayor Peduto said. "We have a strong partnership with the Penguins already, and Kevin taking on this new role will only make the relationship between the team and the community stronger, and provide a boost to the 28-acre development."
An opening was created last week when Travis Williams, the Penguins' chief operating officer and general counsel, announced he will step down at the end of the month to take a senior management position with another NHL team. Williams has been with the Penguins since 2008.
"Travis has been an integral part of all the success we've had here over the past 10 years, including the development of PPG Paints Arena and the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex," Morehouse said. "Travis and his family will always be part of the Penguins family. He will be missed."
Acklin is a native of South Oakland and a graduate of Central Catholic High School. He earned a degree in government from Harvard College and a law degree from Georgetown University Law School. He previously worked for law firms in Boston and Pittsburgh, primarily focused on private equity and mergers and acquisitions.
The Penguins also will be making some internal promotions in the near future.
