St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer has kicked off the month with significant changes to her administration, enlisting three new senior staffers while marking the exit of a key director. Announced today, the shake-up sees James Jackson take the helm of the Street Department, Marvin Teer as the new director for the Office of Violence Prevention, and Col. Bryan Barroqueiro stepping in as deputy chief operating officer. Amid these updates, Community Development Administration's Nahuel Fefer prepares for his departure set for Nov. 28, according to the City of St. Louis official announcement.
James Jackson, known for his 30-year tenure in public works across various cities, will now oversee St. Louis's refuse collection, street maintenance, and snow removal initiatives. Having lent his expertise to cities like Atlanta and Detroit, Jackson is expected to boost the performance of the street department, which has faced stark challenges especially following the May 16 tornado that demanded extensive clean-up efforts. Mayor Spencer, in a statement obtained by the city's official news release, expressed her confidence in Jackson's potential to elevate city services. In his recent undertaking, Jackson aims to polish the new snow removal and winter weather plan, ensuring the city is better equipped for seasonal challenges.
Violence prevention in St. Louis takes a strategic turn with Marvin Teer at the forefront. The freshly appointed director brings his extensive background in law and community engagement to the table. As a former chief trial attorney and judicial figure in municipal and administrative law, Teer plans to strengthen partnerships and community dialogue to build a safer city. "I'm honored to serve the people of St. Louis in this critical role. Violence prevention requires partnership, compassion, and persistence — and I look forward to working with our community partners, city leaders, and residents to ensure every neighborhood can thrive in safety and peace,” Teer told the City of St. Louis official news release.
Col. Bryan Barroqueiro, with a decorated 25-year tenure in the U.S. Air Force, joins as the deputy chief operating officer, promising to infuse his leadership experience into strengthening the city's operational structures. Barroqueiro's appointment marks a reconnection with Col. Ben Jonsson, under whom he will report, potentially spearheading efficient operations citywide. "St. Louis has been my adopted home for more than 15 years," Barroqueiro shared in the City of St. Louis official announcement, emphasizing his commitment to public service beyond his military career.
The outgoing CDA executive director, Nahuel Fefer, has left an indelible mark on the city's development programs, driving millions of dollars into community projects. Moving to Boston for personal reasons, Fefer remains passionate about the city's ongoing recovery, stating, "It has been the honor of my professional life to serve the people of St. Louis and lead such an extraordinary team at CDA. While love and family are calling me to Boston, I remain deeply invested in St. Louis' success and hope to contribute to the city's recovery and transformation in new ways moving forward," as cited by the official City of St. Louis news release.
