Brown announces transition team

News

by David Chapman

Staff Writer

Mayor-elect Alvin Brown unveiled his 40-person transition team Thursday, a diverse group from both sides of the political aisle charged with “taking Jacksonville to the next level.”

Brown said the goal of the team is to “identify challenges and opportunities facing our city” so the administration could move forward when taking office July 1.

Strategic co-chairs are Peter Rummell, the Rev. Henry Rhim and Delores Weaver, who will lead and guide the direction of the transition in honorary positions.

Day-to-day operations of the transition will be headed by Audrey Moran and state Sen. Tony Hill.

Moran, a Republican, is a former mayoral candidate while Hill, a Democrat, is currently a member of the Duval Delegation.

“I am honored to be asked to serve in this role,” said Moran. “Transitions are a very important time in the life of a city. I know that Mayor-elect Brown has worked diligently to pull together a team of smart, creative, community-minded individuals that have one role: whatever is best for the city,” she said.

“If the makeup of this committee is any reflection of how Mayor-elect Brown is going to unite our community and lead us, I would say we are in very, very good hands,” she said.

Moran was a candidate for mayor but lost in the March 22 first election, coming in third behind Republican Mike Hogan and Brown.

Hill echoed the sentiments of unity, bringing the city together and creating jobs and said he looked forward to elevating the conversation at both the local and state levels.

The transition team consists of 18 fact-finding policy committees, the majority consisting of two team leaders. Each committee will determine what works and what doesn’t and will create a white paper, said Brown.

Most of the work, including the majority of the white papers, will be complete by the end of June, he said.

Moran and Hill will meet regularly with each committee to discuss maintaining a unified vision for the City.

“I’m very excited that all of these individuals have agreed to serve in this capacity,” said Brown.

More transition committee members will be named next week, he said.

Brown said he spoke with former mayoral candidate Mike Hogan earlier in the day about the transition and will meet with him next week for a tour of the city and to further exchange ideas.

In their conversations, Brown said Hogan has also recommended some individuals to meet with, which Brown said he will do.

“I’m open to ideas,” he said.

“I don’t care where they come from,” he said. “The most important thing is what’s best for Jacksonville.”

A publicly noticed transition leadership meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. today at City Hall.

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Brown’s transition team
Strategic co-chairs
Peter Rummell, the Rev. Henry Rhim, Delores Weaver

Co-chairs
Audrey Moran, state Sen. Tony Hill

Boards and commissions
Charles Clarkson, Robert Spohrer

Budget/finance
Charlie Appleby, Matt Carlucci

Downtown revitalization
Dr. Chester Aikens, Bob Rhodes

Economic development
A. Hugh Greene, state Rep. Mia Jones