San Francisco Mayor Picks New Chief Of Staff

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee on Thursday announced his pick for new chief of staff following the retirement of Steve Kawa.

Jason Elliott, the mayor's deputy chief of staff since 2014, will take over Kawa's position when he retires at the end of June.

Elliott has worked on initiatives including efforts to raise the city's minimum wage, the launch of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and the creation of neighborhood "Fix-It" teams.

He also served as the mayor's liason to the Board of Supervisors and as director of government affairs from 2011 to 2014, and served as a policy advisory for Mayor Gavin Newsom.

"I know that I have big shoes to fill, but I'm fortunate to be able to rely on the support of so many talented colleagues and department heads," Elliott said today in a statement. "Together, we are ready to carry
out the vision of the Mayor and work to make San Francisco a better place for all."

"Jason has worked closely with me since I became Mayor in 2011," Lee said. "There is no person better prepared and better trained to bring continuity and steady progress toward my priorities."

Kawa has worked in city government for 25 years, serving under mayors including Lee, Newsom and Willie Brown and former Supervisor Tom Hsieh.

"It has been a great honor to work on behalf of the City I love for so many years," said Kawa. "I have built important relationships and made countless friends," he said. "Above all, I am proud of our collective efforts to make this City an inclusive, fair and just place for San Franciscans."

— Bay City News; Image via Pixabay