TKC CONFIRMED!!! THE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FEATURES MAYOR-ELECT SLY JAMES AND A "DIVERSE GROUP" OF FRIENDS ON THE TRANSITION TEAM!!!

I don't want to say KICK-ASS TKC TIPSTERS totally forced their hands on this one . . . But they did.

Here's the official presser from Mayor-Elect Sly James and his transition team.

Check it:

MAYOR-ELECT SLY JAMES ANNOUNCES TRANSITION TEAM

 Diverse group lends many skills to shape administration and build a stronger, safer, smarter Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, MO – Today, Mayor-Elect Sly James announced the members of his transition team, which will help him determine the most effective and efficient way to implement his vision for Kansas City after he’s sworn in on May 2nd. Over the next five weeks, the transition team will examine every aspect of city government and make recommendations on, among other things, staffing, boards and commissions, programs, services, and rules and regulations.

Included in the announcement are four Co-Chairs. They are:

Peter deSilva, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of UMB Bank and Immediate Past Chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce;

Charles Garney, Chairman and CEO of Briarcliff Development Company and civic leader;

Judy Morgan, retired President of the American Federation of Teachers and distinguished labor advocate; and

Honorable Terry Riley, outgoing City Councilman from the 5th District and long-time community leader.

The role of the Co-Chairs will be to set objectives for the team, suggest resources to help complete tasks, and develop the strategy and specifics for macro challenges facing the city.

“I have long admired these four individuals and appreciate their leadership qualities,” said James. “They each bring a unique background and perspective to the transition team and will provide essential guidance as we move forward.”

In addition, Mayor-Elect James also announced his Transition Team Members. These members, under the guidance of a Coordinator and the leadership of the Co-Chairs, will formulate the bulk of recommendations which will serve as an initial “blueprint” for the administration. The transition team includes:

Carol Grimaldi, Coordinator, is currently the Executive Director of Brush Creek Community Partners. Grimaldi, a long-time community leader and economic development advocate, will help ensure the transition team stays on task and develops concrete recommendations for the Sly James administration;

Linda Becker has spent the majority of her career working for the City of Kansas City, Missouri including serving as the former Assistant Director for the International Affairs and Trade Office and as a City Clerk and Chief Deputy City Clerk. During the course of her dedicated career to local government, Becker has served two different council members and four different Mayors in Kansas City. Her knowledge of city government will be tremendous asset to the transition team;

Andrea Bough is a former small business owner and lawyer who has practiced in the area of planning and zoning, real estate development and city approvals. Bough has represented numerous clients before the City Council and other governmental bodies as well as published articles on issues ranging from searches and seizures in schools to conflicts of laws and supplemental jurisdiction issues in federal court;

McClain Bryant has been an attorney at Husch Blackwell for over three years. Bryant brings a fresh perspective to the transition team as a young working professional who has returned to Kansas City after receiving her undergraduate, masters and law degrees outside the region;

Jean-Paul Chaurand is the Senior Vice President for Community Investment at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation where he oversees the Foundation’s leadership activities and development efforts. He previously served as executive director of the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation and as an economic development specialist for the National Council of La Raza;

John Crossley is a partner with Husch Blackwell. His legal practice focuses on real estate development, renewable energy development and municipal law. He is committed to fostering growth and economic development opportunities in Kansas City and is an active participant in the Civic Council’s Kansas City Tomorrow Program;

Sean Kelley has been a fixture in the Kansas City art world for more than three decades. Kelley is the former co-director of the Grand Arts contemporary art space and recently helped launch the City Arts Project, which is housed in the former City Ice Building. He will act as artistic director for the City Arts Project and his perspective and connections throughout the arts community will be invaluable to the transition committee’s work;

John McGurk was appointed Special Assistant to the Regional Administrator at the General Services Administration in January of 2011. McGurk, an attorney, has experience in real estate law and housing issues. During the 2008 presidential campaign, McGurk was a field organizer for the Obama campaign north of the river in Kansas City;

Adriana Pecina is a Program Officer with the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City. At the Foundation she is dedicated to improving access and quality of health for uninsured and underserved individuals in Kansas City, Missouri and a six county service area in Kansas and Missouri. Pecina serves on various boards that empower youth, address economic access, educational attainment and engage citizens in their communities; and

Munro Richardson, Ph.D., is the Vice President of Education at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Dr. Richardson advises the Foundation on strategic program initiatives and new opportunities related to education and entrepreneurship. He helped develop several major new programs, including Kauffman Scholars and the new Ewing Marion Kauffman School. Dr. Richardson will provide an invaluable policy expertise to the transition team, especially as it relates to employment and education.

“I am thrilled at the depth and breadth of the skills and expertise on this transition team and I am thankful they have agreed to lend their time and talent to shaping my administration,” said James.

Finally, Sly James has also asked Amy Jordan Wooden to serve as the Director of Communications for the transition. Jordan Wooden, a veteran communications professional who has worked for elected officials in both Missouri and Kansas, will be the primary spokesperson for the transition team and its progress.

For individuals who wish to be considered for employment in the new administration, the www.togetherkc.com website will serve as an online home for the transition efforts. Interested parties can submit resumes and cover letters through the site.

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