Philadelphia's Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has unveiled a slate of new appointments to oversee essential city departments, as reported by the City of Philadelphia's official website. These appointments span across a range of departments, from LGBTQ+ Affairs to Planning and Development, promising a diverse and impactful administrative team ready to tackle the city's needs.
Mayor Parker expressed her commitment to an administration devoted to visible, beneficial changes to Philadelphia and its citizens, "We are on a mission to be an Administration that creates positive tangible impacts on this city and the lives of Philadelphians," Parker said, emphasizing the value of partnerships in building a city that is "Safer, Cleaner, Greener" with "Access to Economic Opportunity for All". The appointments include Tyrell Brown as the Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs, bringing a history of activism and leadership from their time with Galaei and the QCAD organization in Iowa to Ronald L. Hovey, already leveraging his vast experience from Amtrak to New Jersey Transit, who takes over as Commissioner of the Procurement Department.
In the role of Director of Business Impact and Supplier Diversity, Nadir Jones joins the Parker Administration, equipped with over twenty years advocating for diversity and inclusion within business communities, before Jones honed his skills as the Diversity Sourcing Manager at CBRE Group, Inc. Joseph Brasky, with his roots deeply planted in South Philadelphia and a tenure that saw him rise through the ranks of the Fire Department, will continue his work as the Commissioner of the Department of Public Property.
Andy Toy takes up the mantle as Director of the Home Appraisal Equity Program in the Department of Planning and Development; Toy's background includes policy crafting at PACDC and involvement in vital community projects like Mifflin Square Park and the 7th Street Commercial Corridor. Robin Torrence, with her extensive experience in education and community service, has been named the Director of Pan Hellenic and HBCU Engagement in the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Engagement, and wrapping up the list of appointments, Patricia Wellenbach becomes the Chief Strategy and Partnership Officer, where her 30-plus years of executive leadership will be put to use in guiding the city's strategic visions and fostering partnerships.
The new appointments reflect Mayor Parker's vision for a multifaceted and proactive local government that prioritizes both economic development and inclusive community relations, the full roster of appointees can be viewed, complete with their headshots, on the city's official announcement page.
