Former Rice University president to lead public policy think tank
David Leebron will succeed former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
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Houston Airport System names interim director
Jim Szczesniak brings more than two decades of airport leadership to role
Beth Noveck – New Jersey
Beth Noveck has been appointed as the state’s first-ever chief AI strategist. She takes on the job as the state launches what Gov. Phil Murphy recently called an “AI Moonshot” effort focused on innovation in public services, health, education and other areas. Noveck
Port of Corpus Christi appoints director of finance as CFO
Cindy Bertolami has been port's interim CFO for past six months
UT System appoints vice chancellor for governmental relations
Julia Rathgeber has more than 30 years' experience working in Texas government
Ben Harvey – Ojai, California
California – The Ojai City Council unanimously voted to hire Ben Harvey as city manager. Harvey previously served as city manager for Pacific Grove for seven years as well as the city manager for Avalon from 2013 to 2015. He will take over the role
David Bowen – Washington Department of Ecology
Washington – The Department of Ecology Director Laura Watson selected David Bowen as director of the agency’s Central Region Office. Bowen has worked for Ecology since 2016, most recently serving as manager of the agency’s Nuclear Waste Program, which oversees cleanup at the Hanford nuclear
Steve McMichael – National League of Cities
Indiana – National League of Cities (NLC) President Mayor David Sander of Rancho Cordova, California, announced New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael has been appointed to the NLC 2024 Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee. Over a one-year term, McMichael will provide strategic direction and guidance for
Julie Baxter Payer – Louisiana
Louisiana – Baton Rouge’s Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has appointed Julie Baxter Payer as chief of staff. Baxter Payer is a 30-year resident of Baton Rouge who most recently served as deputy secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. She brings extensive experience in public
Larry Lester – Monroe, Ohio
Ohio – Larry Lester, former operations director of the city of Hilliard was recently approved as Monroe’s city manager, replacing William “Bill” Brock, who served for 20 years. Lester has served as operations director in Hillard, a community with 40,000 residents, since 2020. Before
