Stacy Richardson, Mayor-elect Andy Berke, Travis McDonough and Andrew Kean, from left, stand at a podium during a news conference Wednesday at the Development Resource Center. Mayor-elect Berke announced the three as his choices for leadership positions in his administration. McDonough will serve as the mayor's chief of staff, Kean will serve as the city's chief operating officer, and Richardson will serve as senior adviser to the mayor and chief policy officer.MAYORAL APPOINTMENTSMayor-elect Andy Berke announced three appointments Wednesday to his staff. They are:* Chief of staff: Travis McDonough* Chief operating officer: Andrew Kean* Senior adviser to the mayor and chief policy officer: Stacy Richardson
Chattanooga Mayor-elect Andy Berke on Wednesday announced three appointments to his staff, two of them brand-new positions within the city.
"People are hungry that we have the right people on board to move Chattanooga forward," Berke said at a news conference.
The new appointments are:
• Travis McDonough, an attorney for Miller & Martin, as chief of staff.
• Andrew Kean, vice chairman of Rock City, will be the city's chief operating officer.
• The final appointment is Stacy Richardson, former campaign manager, as senior adviser to the mayor and chief policy officer.
Berke said McDonough's responsibility will be to make sure his vision is implemented within government. Kean's role will be to handle day-to-day operations and make sure government is operating efficiently. Richardson will be tasked with implementing policies.
Kean's and Richardson's positions are newly created. McDonough will take the role now occupied by Dan Johnson.
Richardson, the mayor-elect's spokeswoman during the transition, said salaries have not been determined.
"When we are in office, we will work with personnel to make sure the salaries are set appropriately," she said.
The transition team is reviewing the city government structure and has not yet determined whether other positions will be cut to make room for the two new ones.
Councilman-elect Chip Henderson, who was present, said he wants to support anyone who can do the city's business.
He also said he's not too concerned about the creation of two new jobs, and is more interested in lowering the overall city budget.
"A new position at this point is fine as long as he takes it out of somewhere else," Henderson said.
Councilman-elect Chris Anderson said he is excited about the appointments. He said the appointees are young and have vision.
"I think it demonstrates the new ideas he wants to bring," Anderson said.