Valerie Santos Is New Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty is set to name Valerie Santos as his new deputy mayor for planning and economic development.
She replaces Neil O. Albert as DMPED. He was tapped to replace Dan Tangherlini as city administrator after he moved to the U.S. treasury department.
Santos served as Albert's chief operating officer and top deputy. Previously she had spent time at Jones Lang LaSalle and Ernst & Young.
UPDATE, 10:30 A.M.: Santos becomes the first newcomer to Fenty's top echelon of advisers since the beginning of his administration. Her appointment also continues Fenty's practice of promoting from within the ranks.
Fenty pointed out in his remarks this morning at Walker-Jones ES that Santos, 36, is the first person to rise to deputy mayor rank from within the District government: "I think it's a great sign for the D.C. government...that she has been hard at work serving the residents of the District of Columbia."
Santos, in her remarks, committed to "continuing to implement Mayor Fenty's vision for economic development and streamlining government."
Kwame Brown, chair of the D.C. Council's economic development committee, has issued a statement: "While I’m disappointed that I wasn’t invited to the announcement, I fully support Ms. Santos Young who will face some of the toughest economic challenges our city has ever confronted...I believe this is an opportunity to forge a new relationship between the Council and the Executive to create jobs for District residents, new opportunities for local businesses, more affordable housing and to efficiently move projects to completion. Ms. Santos Young has the experience and the operational knowledge to be an effective Deputy Mayor. My team is committed to working with her and her staff to create a better city for District residents and businesses."
11:28 am
If Obama can have Sotomayor, then Fenty can have Santos. Viva' Latina!
12:21 pm
She looks kind of hot
1:37 pm
I think I found my next wife!
2:19 pm
"While I’m disappointed that I wasn’t invited to the announcement..."
D.C. govt. types are nauseatingly petty.
10:37 pm
Ummm...wasn't Albert former Parks Director, then DM for Children and Families. Wasn't the former DM for Fire/Public Safety, a former staffer to Bobb then DM? Fenty isn't the first to do this. I believe there were others also. Oh well...I wish her luck.
8:34 am
I read somewhere that Santos going to pay attention to projects in Wards 7 and 8. Well, she can start with not letting Donatelli run (and discount) the transportation ehancement decisions for the Minnesota Ave and Benning Rd roadways. Throughout planning for the Minn Ave and Bennng Rd Great Streets having an access bridge off Benning Road that would lead traffic to the Dept of Employment Services and Donatelli sites and away from the congested, dangerous Minn-Benn intersection has been in play. Now, the DMPED is letting Donatelli decide that the Benning access bridge is not necessary!! Hello!? Is pedestrian safety necessary?! The intersection is in the City's top 10 for unsafe pedestrian travel! DMPED Santos, PLEASE put pedestrian safety over politics and reverse course--put the Benning Rd access bridge back in the plans.
9:30 am
In response to Q, Valerie is a Filipina, and not Latina! See link: http://www.asianjournal.com/voice-of-fil-america/72-voice-of-fil-america/3007-valerie-santos-washington-dc-deputy-mayor.html
7:09 pm
Q, She actually hails from the Philippines hence a Filipina not Latina. More from where it came from!