Kenney keeps Nutter’s money man

Philadelphia Mayor-elect Jim Kenney announced a combination of old and new Monday as he continues to fill positions in his administration.

Current city Finance Director Rob Dubow will keep that post in the Kenney administration, saying he’s happy to continue in a job he loves to do.

“Fiscal integrity is the key to any city’s success,” Dubow said after his appointment was announced. “I think that a lot of governments have learned over time that if you don’t pay attention to the dollars you can’t do a lot of the things you want, so I’m honored that that the mayor-elect has enough faith in me to be in charge of the city’s finances.”

Current Budget Director Rebecca Rhynhart will take on a new role as Chief Administrative Officer.

The CAO will focus on improving the way the City allocates resources, acquires goods and services, and the way it hires, trains and compensates employees.

“We need to better utilize technology, improve employee recruitment and employee development focusing on service excellence,” Rhynhart said, “and we need to modernize our procurement practices.”

Sheila Hess, director of foundation & community affairs for Independence Blue Cross, will serve as City Representative. Hess, who oversees Blue Cross’s $65 million charitable foundation, said the appointment is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

“My goal is to make the city shine so bright we will all be wearing sunglasses 24 hours (a day) because it shines so bright,” she said.

Harold Epps will take the job of Commerce director. He said he’lll focus on neighborhood business improvement.

“Center city is going to be just fine, the way I look at it,” Epps said, “but we will have to work to make sure that same opportunity gets into our neighborhoods.”

Epps has served as President & CEO of PRWT Services, Inc., one of America’s largest minority-owned firms.  It’s been called a premier provider of high performance business solutions, facilities management and infrastructure support services.  He will resign his post and take a pay cut to become a city employee.

Kenney is promising more appointments before the week is done.