Mayor-Elect Ted Wheeler Names Top Aides

He won't be mayor for just about another four and a half months but Ted Wheeler is getting the pieces in place to hit the ground running.

On Thursday he named his chief of staff and a chief administrative officer for the City.

Maurice Henderson, currently the Portland Bureau of Transportation Assistant Director, will be Wheeler's Chief of Staff.

He will also have the newly created position of Director of Strategic Initiatives, in which he will have responsibility for the mayor's policy agenda and coordinating work among major bureaus.

"We are fortunate to have a highly skilled manager, policy expert, and proven leader in this role,"said Wheeler.

"I expect a high degree of experience and professionalism from my staff and Maurice Henderson is the right person to help me build and lead the team."

Before arriving in Portland in 2015, Henderson served in a variety of top roles in the administrations of three mayors of Washington, DC, and was a top press aide to then-Virginia Governor Tim Kaine.

Wheeler's second appointment is someone who has been with him a long time - Tom Rinehart.

Currently, Wheeler's Chief of Staff, Rinehart will become Portland’s Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of the Office of Management and Finance.

Rinehart will oversee revenue, finance, human resources, internal business services, technology and other core functions of city government. He will also have responsibilities for cross-bureau efforts and regional initiatives as assigned by the Mayor.

"The demands of 21st Century governance call for an integrated, nimble organization that is responsive to the needs of the community," said Wheeler. "Tom is perfectly suited to take on this challenge at this time in our history."