Newark Mayor Elect Ras Baraka today announced the structure of his Transition Team and the Chairs of his Transition Committees. The overall Co-Chairs of the Team are Former Newark Mayor Ken Gibson and Al Koeppe, President and C.E.O., Newark Alliance and Former President and C.E.O., P.S.E. & G.
The committees include Budget and Finance; Public Safety; Education; Housing and Economic Development; Departmental Operations; Executive Recruitment; Workforce Development; Training and Re-entry; Independent Authorities; Arts; Cultural Development; and Tourism; Community Engagement; Recreation; Legal Review; IT Initiatives; Public Health; Environment and Sustainability; and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
“In preparing the transition to Newark’s new administration on July 1st, we have chosen a wide-ranging group of advisors who are experts in their chosen fields,” Baraka said in a statement. “My plan for governing Newark is to build a broad-based movement of all with a stake in the future of our city. This includes business and labor; parents, law enforcement; teachers and students; community and philanthropic groups; colleges, universities, and medical institutions; and more- all working together to transform our city.
“The transition process and the Transition Team are representative of the diversity of Newark,” added the mayor-elect. “It implements our vision of governing with the involvement of those who love Newark and are prepared to work make our city achieve its full potential. Every citizen and stakeholder will have the opportunity to participate in planning Newark’s future direction. Over the next month, we will be holding community meetings and telephone town halls, providing a public-input email address, and launching a Transition Website, all to give people a direct voice in transition planning.
“My campaign was about empowering the people of Newark. I said that “When I become Mayor, we become Mayor. This transition is the first step.”
Co-Chairs of Transition Committee
Ken Gibson, Former Mayor, Newark, N.J.
Al Koeppe, President and C.E.O., Newark Alliance, Former President and C.E.O., P.S.E. and G.
Education:
Dr. Marion Bolden, Former Newark School Superintendent
Dr. Nancy Cantor, Chancellor, Rutgers Newark
Housing & Economic Development-
Sam Delgado, Vice President for Externbal Affairs, Verizon N.J.
Richard Cammerrerei, Director of Special Projects, New Community Corporation
Public Safety
Dr. Todd Clear, Provost, Rutgers; Former Dean, Rutgers School of Criminal Justice
Robert Rankin, Former Police Director, Newark N.J.
Departmental Operations
Joel Freiser, Former Director, Newark Urban Enterprise Zone
Karen Hilliard Johnson, Former Project Coordinator, Newark N.J.
Executive Recruitment:
Tracy Munford, Vice President for Community Affairs, Beth Israel Hospital
Jeannine LaRue, Former Vice President for Public Affairs, Rutgers University
Budget
Tim McDonough, Mayor, New Hope, N.J.
Workforce Development, Training and Re-entry:
Penny Joseph, Vice President for Corporate Outreach, Panasonic
Ken McNamara, President, C.W.A. Local 1037
Legal Review
Ed Florio, Partner, Florio and Kenny
Anthony Mack, Partner, Mack and Gil
Recreation
Luis Lopez, Principal, Roberto Clemente School
Pat Council, Coordinator of Athletics, Newark Public Schools
Public Health
Dr. John Brennan, President and C.E.O. Beth Israel Medical Center
Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, President, Grassroots Community Foundation
Milly Silva, Executive V.P., 1199 S.E.I.U.
Environment and Sustainability
Robin Dougherty, Executive Director, Greater Newark Conservancy
Stephanie Greenwood, Director- Office of Sustainability, Newark NJ
IT
Seth Wainer, Senior Technology Advisor, Newark, N.J.
Joel Bloom, President, N.J.I.T.
Community Engagement
Junius Williams, Director of the Abbott Leadership Institute, Rutgers University
Raymond Ocasio, La Casa de Don Pedro
Arts, Cultural Development, and Tourism
John Schreiber, President and C.E.O., N.J.P.A.C.
Gloria Hopkins Buck, Vice President, Newark Museum Trustees
Independent Authorities
Joseph Garcia, Administrative Law Attorney, Chasan, Leyner abd Lamparello
Bessie Walker, Former Councilwoman, Newark, NJ
Senator Ron Rice
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Arthur Cifelli, Former Deputy Director, Port Authority
Gary Love, Vice President, Foreign Auto Processors, Inc.
Transition Steering Committee
Tai Cooper, Director, Spokesperson Ras Baraka for Mayor
Baye Adofo-Wilson, Co-Founder Lincoln Park Cultural District
Chigozie Onyema, Counsel and co-Director
Analilia Mejia, Director, NJ Working Families Alliance
Linda Carter, Professor, Essex County College, Division of Social Sciences
Frank Baraff, Communications Director
