Since 1992, Birru had been executive director of the UrbanRedevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh. Birru also has beenpresident of the Pittsburgh Economic & Industrial DevelopmentCorp. since 1995.

Ficano says Birru's experience of dealing with the cyclicalnature of the steel industry in the Pittsburgh region shouldtranslate well to the Detroit area, where the auto industry isking. Birru also will lead the county's revamped EconomicDevelopment Department, which oversees $15.3 million in communitydevelopment block grants and $27 million in New Market taxcredits.

Birru holds a doctorate in public and international affairs fromthe University of Pittsburgh, master's degrees in economics andbusiness administration from Syracuse University and a bachelor ofarts in management and accounting from Addis Ababa University inEthiopia. He is a native of Ethopia.