Politics & Government
Mayor Eric Garcetti Appoints Jan Perry to Oversee Economic Development Department
The former councilwoman will serve as the interim general manager.
Former Councilwoman Jan Perry, who made an unsuccessful mayoral run, will oversee the creation of the city's new Economic Development Department, the mayor's office announced today.
Mayor Eric Garcetti appointed Perry as the interim general manager of the department, which is being created to fill a void left by the state- mandated dissolution of the Community Redevelopment Agency.
No recommendation was made as to who will permanently lead the new office, but Perry is being charged with getting it "up and running'' and firing on "eight cylinders,'' said mayoral spokesman Yusef Robb.
Garcetti said Perry's work "revitalizing downtown and South Los Angeles'' are examples of the "kind of leadership and expertise'' he wants to make the department "into a true economic engine'' for Los Angeles.
The appointment was announced two days after Perry concluded her council service. She was termed out after serving three terms representing the Ninth District, which includes south Los Angeles and parts of downtown.
"I'm excited that Jan Perry and I will be working closely together on getting people back to work and helping businesses open and grow,'' Garcetti said.
Perry said she shares Garcetti's "passion for revitalizing neighborhoods and improving the quality of life'' for Los Angeles residents.
After a failed bid for mayor, Perry endorsed Garcetti over Wendy Greuel in their run-off battle.
As council colleagues, Garcetti and Perry worked together to establish the ratepayer advocate position in the Department of Water and Power, and both worked to pass Proposition O, a water bond initiative that helped pay for repairs to city infrastructure, wetland restoration in South Los Angeles and the rehabilitation of Echo Park Lake.
"I am excited to support the mayor's vision to put Angelenos to work and to make it clear that Los Angeles is open for business,'' Perry said.
Garcetti also announced several other appointments to his administration. Doane Liu, a former chief of staff to Councilman Joe Buscaino and former Councilwoman Janice Hahn, was appointed deputy mayor of City Services.
Liu, who was also a member of former Mayor James Hahn's administration, will be charged with overseeing the Water and Power, Recreation & Parks, Transportation and Public Works departments and other offices that impact neighborhood services.
Garcetti's transition director, Rich Llewellyn, will be the Counsel to the Mayor, a role in which he will serve as the mayor's senior adviser and give legal advice.
The mayor's office also now includes:
-- Kelli Bernard, interim chief of Economic Development;
-- Stephen Cheung, director of International Trade;
-- Eileen Decker, interim deputy mayor for Public Safety;
-- Borja Leon, director of Transportation;
-- Martha Preciado, director of Scheduling;
-- Heather Repenning, director of External Affairs; and
-- Yusef Robb, director of Communications.
- City News Service