Press Releases

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced today the members of his Transition Team. The group is tasked with providing advice and counsel to him and to provide oversight to five committees that will search for key departmental leaders, including new police and fire chiefs.

The 18-member Transition Team is co-chaired by former Atlanta City Council President Lisa Borders and Attorney Lawrence Ashe, the Chairman and a partner with Ashe Rafuse & Hill.

Borders and Ashe worked with Reed to develop a team that represents the diversity of Atlanta from gender to geography and a mixture of experiences and backgrounds. The members include an array of constituencies, interests and skill sets.

"It is vital that all of Atlanta be represented, as we build our city teams and find the right departmental leaders. I chose Transition Team members who I trust will have the best interests of Atlanta as a central guiding principle when they make recommendations to me. I am focused on moving Atlanta toward prosperity and progress," Reed said.

The Reed Administration Transition Team includes: Ashe, Borders, Henrietta Antoinin, Claire "Yum" Arnold, Stephanie Blank, Charlie Fleming, Sonya Halpern, Charles Huddleston, Phil Kent, Lt. M. Scott Kreher, Rafael Maldonado, Elisabeth Omilami, State Senator Nan Orrock, Alicia Philipp, Tara Perry, Yvonne Robinson, Beth Schapiro, and Lani Wong.

"Lawrence and I are privileged to work with such a thoughtful, committed and experienced group. The people selected link communities across the city, and their expertise spans the issues we will face. I am particularly encouraged to see that Mayor Reed has engaged so many women to participate in this transition," Borders said.

Reed also announced the members of two key search committees charged with interviewing and making recommendations on the city's new police and fire chiefs.

The Atlanta Police Department Chief Search Committee will be chaired by Georgia State University Police Chief Connie Sampson, who will serve with Rev. Joanna Adams, Lou Arcangeli, Rosel Fann, Rev. Walter Kimbrough, Lt. Scott Kreher, Robin Loudermilk, Kyle Keyser, Tiffany Williams, Philip Rafshoon, Irene Richardson, Earl Williamson and Dave Wilkinson.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Search Committee will be chaired by Cobb County Chief Sam Heaton, who will serve with East Point Deputy Chief William Ware, David Allman, Professor Bahareh Azizi, Marcia Bansley, Johnny Dixon, Vonda Henry, Charles Johnson, former State DHR Commissioner Jim Martin, Helene Mills, Hon. Mary Norwood, and Ken Prince.

"We've worked hard to find folks who have not only a clear concern for our community, but also a real desire to ensure the city's success. We are ready now to get to work and assist Mayor Reed in finding the best and brightest to help run our city," said Ashe.