PITTSBURGH — The University of Pittsburgh has tapped a U.S. Commerce Department official to be its next chancellor.

Patrick Gallagher, 50, the acting deputy secretary of the agency, is set to start at Pitt in August. He succeeds Mark Nordenberg, who spent 19 years as chancellor.

Gallagher serves as chief operating officer of the Commerce Department. The agency has 40,000 employees and a $10 billion budget.

The announcement follows a board of trustees vote on Saturday.

Board Chairman Stephen Tritch says Gallagher’s experience will enable him to promote innovation and research throughout the university.

Pitt has about 25,000 undergraduate and 10,000 graduate students.