Rochester Mayor-Elect Malik Evans holds transition update, announces additional staff hires

Andrew Hyman

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Editor’s note: Malik Evans is looking for people to apply for the City Court Judge vacancy. His office says that applicants must be willing to run for election in November of 2022, must be living in the city and practicing law for at least five years. The appointment will last through Dec. 31, 2022. Anyone interested can send their resume, three professional references, two writing samples and a certificate of good standing, marked "Confidential" to the following address:

Incoming Corporation Counsel Linda Kingsley
Law Department
City Hall – 4thFloor
30 Church Street
Rochester, New York 14614

Or email those materials to courtney.thomas@cityofrochester.gov.

[Editor’s note, this story has been updated to reflect the newest hires as of 12/16/2021]

[News10NBC]

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — "Right on schedule, still a lot of work to do" It’s how Rochester Mayor-Elect Malik Evans assessed his current transition to becoming the leader of the city come Jan. 1

Evans held another news conference Thursday to give an update on the transition of power and share some senior staff appointments, the list of which, can be found below. Full list of bios can be found here. Additional bios of the staff added Thursday can be found here.

• Chief of Staff, Tamara Mayberry
• Director of Special Projects, Hilda Rosario Escher (Just a few hours after the announcement, Rosario-Escher informed Evans she will no longer be able to fill the position.)

  • Director of Human Resources, Rose Nichols
  • Director of Communications and Special Events, Barbara Pierce
  • Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Chris Wagner
  • Special Assistant to the Mayor, John Brach
  • Mayor’s Advisor on Violence Prevention Programs, Victor Saunders
  • Liaison to City Council, Josanne Reaves
  • Corporation Counsel, Linda Kingsley
  • Commissioner of Department of Environmental Services, Richard Perrin
  • Commissioner of Department of Recreation and Human Services, Shirley Green
  • Fire Chief, Felipe Hernandez
  • Director of Emergency Communications, Michael Cerreto
  • Interim Police Chief, David Smith
  • Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development – Dana Miller
  • Director of Rochester Public Library and Director of Monroe County Library System- Patricia Uttaro
  • Director of the Office of Public Integrity, Timothy Weir
  • Deputy Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development, Erik Frisch
  • Executive Deputy Chief of the Rochester Fire Department, Teresa Everett,

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Of note, the role of Mayor’s Advisor on Violence Prevention Programs, which will be held by Victor Saunders, is what Evans said he initially wanted to title "Gun Czar" as part of his plan to address ongoing violence in the city.

Additionally, during the roughly 45-minute news conference, Evans detailed each new appointee’s background and how they plan to fit in with his administration. The soon-to-be mayor also reflected on his recent time spent at a "New Mayor’s School" where he said he spent time with 26 current and soon-to-be mayors. The "school" is where Evans said he gained perspective on where his administration stands in the transition period.

Evans’ Staff by News10NBC on Scribd

Evans will become the 71st mayor following the end of the current temporary term of James Smith.