Photo by Sarah Anne Hughes.
Marion Barry, Adrian Fenty and two other former mayors of D.C. will help Muriel Bowser prepare to take on the job in January as honorary members of her transition team.
The new mayor-elect today announced the five co-chairs of her transition committee: Former D.C. Superior Court Judge Mary Terrell, Brookings fellow Alice Rivlin, retired Pepco executive Beverly Perry, Mary’s Center head Maria Gomez and “the man on the committee,” union leader John Boardman.
“We have just 56 days to work on our transition,” Bowser said inside an Anacostia building under construction that will one day house government agencies. “We all are committed with a sense of urgency to get that done.”
Former mayors Anthony Williams and Sharon Pratt, who attended today’s conference with Barry, will also serve as honorary co-chairs on the Bowser transition team.
Since winning the election on Tuesday, Bowser’s transition team has moved into One Judiciary Square and put up a website to recruit talent, as she announced on Wednesday. More than 400 resumes have been submitted, according to Bowser.
“So why are we here in hard hats in this beautiful building in Anacostia?” Bowser said. “Throughout my campaign and certainly through our discussions with residents across the city, one of the chief anxieties, concerns and challenges that was presented to me was to make sure that we’re closing the gaps” in education, income inequality, economic development and more.
“I pledged then that this administration would have a consistent presence east of the river, the mayor and the deputy mayor will have a presence everyday, to work on an agenda that’s feasible, that’s visionary, that’s funded to move the ball and close the gaps across our city,” she continued.
Bowser said she will announce next week eight committees, including one on economic development and jobs, and the co-chairs that will lead them. Each of the five main co-chairs of her transition team will participate in all committees.
They are tasked, Bowser explained, with “making sure there’s a smooth transition, and attracting and retaining talented and energetic staff.” All agencies and their leaders will be reviewed. Bowser has committed to keeping DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier.
“The talent acquisition part of our initiative is robust,” Bowser said. “There are a lot of directors who are doing a good job, and we want to give them an opportunity to talk about what their vision is and what they see the challenges are, and how they dovetail with my priorities.”
The Post reported this week that Bowser has asked the Council to not approve appointments to the Gray administration. The mayor-elect explained that, along with Council Chair Phil Mendelson, she will review pending appointments and decide whether or not the position needs to be filled immediately through a “certain set of criteria.”
