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Mayor Dickens Announces Key Appointments to His Administration

Mayor Andre Dickens’ executive team is taking shape. Today, the Mayor announced that Lisa Y. Gordon, President and CEO of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, will join the Administration as Chief Operating Officer.

“Lisa has deep experience in municipal government leadership,” said Mayor Dickens. “As a former cabinet officer and policy advisor in the Franklin administration, she brings strong knowledge of Atlanta and city government to this important role.  We are excited to have her on the team.”

Under Gordon’s leadership, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity launched the innovative $25 million development of Browns Mill Village in southeast Atlanta that featured 150 affordable homes and townhomes. Gordon also was the architect of the City of Atlanta’s first five-year financial plan, which led the government out of an $80-million deficit, built the City’s reserves and increased the City’s bond rating to A.

Recently recognized on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2021 Power 100 Most Influential Atlantans list, Gordon also served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Atlanta Beltline, Inc., where she helped create the Beltline’s 10-year strategic plan. Gordon has been the assistant city manager for Austin, Texas and served as city manager for the City of East Point.

Gordon is a graduate of Georgetown University and received a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University and a second master’s degree from Nova Southeastern.

Jon Keen—who was appointed and confirmed as COO in 2020—agreed to remain with the City short-term to assist with the Mayoral and COO transitions.

“We are thankful for the strong leadership and dedication Jon has given to the City of Atlanta as COO. He has a wealth of knowledge, and we are grateful that he will be supporting Lisa with her transition into the role,” Mayor Dickens added.

Gordon’s first day will be February 7, 2022, and her appointment, subsequently, will be sent to the Atlanta City Council for confirmation.

Other key appointments to the administration include:

  • Courtney English, Senior Advisor to the MayorEnglish served as the former Atlanta Public Schools Board Chair and previously worked with the housing non-profit, Star-C as Director of Community Development.
  • Austin Wagner, Deputy Chief of StaffWagner has worked as a legislative strategist for the minority leadership in the Georgia House of Representatives. He also served as a city council member in Smyrna, and as Communications Director for Mayor Dickens’ campaign.
  • Theo Pace, Deputy Chief of Staff (starting January 31, 2022): Pace is a City Hall veteran, attorney and currently serves as the Director of City Council Staff. Before that he was a legislative research and policy analyst for the City of Atlanta.
  • Kenyatta Mitchell, Director, Intergovernmental Affairs (starting January 11, 2022): Mitchell previously served as Associate Vice President of Government Relations for HNTB. She also served as principal for a government affair consulting firm with nearly 20 years of leadership in government affairs.  Mitchell also represented HNTB on the ATL Airport Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Original article courtesy of Metro Atlanta CEO, published January 11, 2022.