PennDOT Spokesman's Talents Include Writing Books, Singing in Metal Rock Band

Jim Struzzi writes plenty of news releases every day while working as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s spokesman at the  in Collier, but in his free time the Bridgeville resident tries to showcase his literary skills as a novelist.

“Writing has always been my passion and something I’ve wanted to pursue,” Struzzi said. “It’s pretty cut and dry when it comes to writing a press release about roads and bridges. For a creative person, you need to have an outlet.”

Struzzi, who has lived in Bridgeville for the past five years, has already released two books—The Christmas Secret and Jacob’s Haunting—and is “polishing up” a third one.

To move his creative writing portfolio forward, Struzzi recently launched a website: www.booksbystruzzi.com. The site features the books and information about new writings in the works.

“I have a lot of people who are aware of the books but have trouble finding them,” Struzzi said. “They were in the bookstores at first, but now they’re really only available online. Books By Struzzi, as a website, puts them in one spot.”

Struzzi moved to Bridgeville in 2006 after transferring from PennDOT’s division in Indiana County. His family, which includes four children, has settled in nicely, and he coached his daughter’s Bridgeville softball team last year.

What few people might know about him, though, is his previous life as the lead singer of Genghis Khan, a metal rock band. Struzzi even wrote songs while gigging around in 1980s and 1990s.

“We’re trying to get the band back together,” Struzzi said. “People can see that side of me again.”

Until then, Struzzi plans to continue writing and talking to area students about his books and the publishing process. He tries to motivate the students to read and write, but Struzzi also gets a little bit back in return.

“I really enjoy going out and speaking with children,” Struzzi said. “They seem to enjoy the stories. I like talking to them and getting their feedback. They have good messages, especially The Christmas Secret. It holds a good message, especially with these economic times.”

Struzzi has scheduled a book signing from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Indiana Mall in Indiana County. For more information about his events, go to www.booksbystruzzi.com.

This story originally appeared on Chartiers Valley Patch.