FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:   Brie Turek (407) 246-3106
Cheryl Henry (407) 246-3582

MAYOR ANNOUNCES ADMINISTRATION CHANGES
TO GUIDE CITY PRIORITIES & INITIATIVES

From 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. today, Mayor Buddy Dyer will be available to discuss staff the appointments and transitions to his administration.

May 13, 2005 (Orlando, FL) – Today, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced the appointments of Henry Dean and Roger Neiswender, and the transition of the Chief of Staff position.

Henry Dean, a veteran public sector administrator, will serve as a Senior Policy Advisor on Growth and Infrastructure, and Roger Neiswender will serve as Director of Transportation. Jose Fernandez, former Chief of Staff for the Mayor has been appointed to the position of Senior Advisor for Public Policy and Business Development, and Cheryl Henry, former Director of Communications, has been tapped to serve as the City’s first female Chief of Staff.

“We have been fortunate to acquire some of the best talent in the market to achieve the perfect combination of tenured leaders with critical institutional knowledge, and new team members with the benefit of a fresh approach,” said Mayor Dyer. “They will work together to lead Citywide programs and Mayor’s Office initiatives, and increase communication with citizens, Commissioners and the entire City of Orlando.”

Serving as Senior Policy Advisor on Growth and Infrastructure, Dean will provide expertise and counsel on strategic planning and growth management issues facing Orlando and the region. He will focus on the effective and efficient delivery of urban services and growth management issues, including the development of infrastructure. He will also help the City with implementation of newly enacted growth management and water resource legislation.

“As one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, the City of Orlando needs to be proactive in planning for and managing growth,” said Mayor Dyer. “Henry brings more than 25 years of experience as an attorney, manager and administrator in the public sector, and will provide much needed expertise to plan for both short-term and long-term growth.”

Roger Neiswender will serve as Director of Transportation for the City of Orlando, where he will oversee the City’s transportation planning, transportation engineering and parking divisions. He will be responsible for developing the City’s vision both short-term and long-term that address transportation issues as the City continues its explosive growth. Neiswender will work with the Mayor to protect the City’s interest against growth pressures on the transportation system, and ensure the transportation needs of Orlando are effectively met.

“With the growth of downtown and road expansions on major highways, it is critical that the City focus efforts to serve our citizens and visitors, providing safe and efficient transportation,” said Mayor Dyer. “Roger’s extensive background in transportation management and planning makes him a seamless fit to lead the newly combined transportation engineering, transportation planning and parking divisions under one umbrella.”

As Senior Advisor for Public Policy and Business Development, Jose Fernandez will be responsible for managing the City’s business development and job creation efforts. Fernandez will act as the City’s liaison to community and citizen boards such as Florida Citrus Sports, Chambers of Commerce, and the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Additionally, he will manage all City international relations efforts to enhance business development and job creation efforts for the City of Orlando.

“Jose will play a key role as the City strives to diversify our business community and enhance our relationship with our community and government partners,” said Mayor Dyer. “From travel and tourism to high tech, Jose’s expertise will bring focus to the City’s business development efforts to increase the number of jobs in Orlando and enhance business expansion.”

In her new role, Cheryl Henry will serve as Chief of Staff and principal assistant to the Mayor, and will direct staff to ensure the Mayor’s vision and goals for the City are in-line with the citizens, Commissioners and City partners.

Henry will serve as a liaison between the Mayor's Office and City Commissioners, identifying emerging issues of importance to the City and its citizens, and advising the Mayor, Council and the Chief Administrative Officer on ways to address them. Additionally, she will be responsible for managing special projects and policy initiatives on primarily intra-City issues, directing staff under the Mayor’s goals and objectives.

“Cheryl’s diverse mix of management, government and strategic communications experience and education will be a catalyst for our administration’s fresh start,” states Mayor Dyer. “Her background in management and strategic communications will play a critical role as we move forward in a way that not only commits to openness, but with a structure that defines it to keep all audiences informed of the Mayor’s Office initiatives.”

Joe Robinson, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Mayor, has been with the City for 24 years as a member of the Orlando Police Department, and will continue in this capacity as a Deputy Chief of Staff where he is responsible for day-to-day strategic decision-making and focusing on public safety and homeland security policy issues. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the Mayor’s leadership team and is an integral part of moving forward the goal of an open and transparent government.

Additionally, Mayor Dyer will launch a nationwide search for both the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer positions. Byron Brooks, has assumed the duties of CAO on an interim basis, with 16 years of experience in senior administrative roles with government and quasi-governmental agencies.

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