LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville mayor-elect Craig Greenberg made his first permanent personnel announcements since being elected on Nov. 8.
Many of the names on Greenberg's senior leadership team are familiar with city government and Metro Council.
Here's who is on Greenberg's team:
Barbra Sexton Smith - Deputy Mayor
- Sexton Smith will lead several new offices in the mayor's office focusing on the administration's priorities and serve as a key advisor. She served as the District 4 Councilwoman from 2017-2021.
Nicole George - Deputy Mayor of Public Health and Services
- Outgoing Metro Councilmember George (D-21) will oversee the city's Public Health Department and Public Works among other departments. She is the outgoing representative for Metro Council District 21.
David James - Deputy Mayor of Emergency Services
- James, outgoing Metro Council President (D-6), will lead the Louisville Fire Department, Metro Corrections and EMS.
Dana Mayton - Deputy Mayor of Operations and Budget
- Mayton will oversee the Office of Management and Budget, Human Resources and several other departments.
David Kaplan - Chief of Staff and General Counsel
Keisha Dorsey - Deputy Chief of Staff
"A new direction requires a new structure to more effectively and efficiently serve our community," Greenberg said. "This diverse group of highly motivated and dedicated individuals will run the day-to-day operations of our city government.
It comes just days after Greenberg announced his pick for an interim police chief at the Louisville Metro Police Department, Deputy Chief Jacquelyn 'Jackie' Gwinn-Villaroel, who will report directly to Greenberg. So far, he has not voiced intentions of naming a chief of public safety.
Gwinn-Villaroel will take the head role when Chief Erika Shields steps down on following Greenberg's inauguration next year. That's also when a national search for a permanent LMPD chief will begin. She'll remain on the senior leadership team even after a permanent chief is sworn in.
"This is an all-star team. Together, they have the sense of urgency, commitment to transparency and experience we need to make our city safer, stronger and healthier," Greenberg said. "We have so many challenges facing our city."
Greenberg decided to select four deputy mayors, something we haven't seen since former Mayor Jerry Abramson's administration.
Greenberg prioritized adding both current and former local lawmakers to his staff, including James who also has experience as a former police detective. But notably, he will not supervise Louisville Metro Police (LMPD).
"We are a team, and we are all going to work together, and we're going to do everything we can do," James said. "The number one responsibility of government is public safety, and so we're all working to make sure that happens for everybody."
WHAS11 also brought the conversation back to Greenberg's campaign promise, to move Louisville in "a new direction" -- asking what he'd say to folks who potentially look at his senior leadership team and question whether these familiar faces adequately represent his mission.
"Just wait and see, wait and see, [and] give us the opportunity to start to make meaningful change for our city -- to start to continue the hard work that LMPD is working on right now to improve public safety," Greenberg said.
Greenberg will be sworn in as Louisville's 51st Mayor on Jan. 2, 2023.
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