Harris names transition team, including Wharton
Former Memphis city and Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton remembers well the jolt that comes at the end of a winning campaign, when excitement quickly turns to a lengthy to-do list.
“At this stage, you’re still on that campaign cycle,” Wharton said. “You’re not sleeping much.”
The temptation of executive-elect, he said, is to try to tackle every issue at once. Wharton hopes he can, if needed, encourage Shelby County Mayor-elect Lee Harris to pace himself.
Wharton will be an honorary cochair on the Harris transition team, one of about 20 names announced Friday. Another 15 or so names will join the list before the team’s first meeting Tuesday.
Also serving as an honorary co-chair, which means they will provide guidance but not be involved in day-to-day operations like recruiting, are outgoing county commissioner Walter Bailey, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, philanthropist Gayle Rose and former city Councilwoman Tajuan Stout Mitchell.
“To see this new generation coming in and willing to sit down and ask counsel from another generation is just so rewarding,” Wharton said.
Harris previously announced Danielle Inez will serve as executive director of the transition team. Paul Morris, president of Jack Morris Auto Glass and former president of the Downtown Memphis Commission, and Lionel Hollins, former Memphis Grizzlies basketball coach, will serve as co-chairs.
Inez said the transition team is diverse in experience and expertise.
“Their interests are pretty broad, but they are a reflection of Lee’s intentions and how he intends to govern,” she said.
The transition is a quick one, with Harris entering the job the first week of September, but Inez said the group will stay in place through late October to advise. Also serving on the team are: ❚ Mark Billingsley, commissioner, Shelby County
❚ Tosha Downey, director of advocacy, Memphis Education Fund
❚ Anthony Tate, president, Ashaun, LLC
Cardell Orrin, Memphis city director, Stand for Children ❚ Josh Lipman, philanthropist ❚ Preston Butts Jr., CEO, Mem10 Consulting, LLC
❚ Lori Spicer Robertson, chief communications & engagement officer, United Way of the Mid-South
❚ Teddy Gorman, director of sales & marketing, Gorham/Schaffler, Inc. ❚ Elizabeth Low, attorney, FedEx ❚ Trey Carter, president, Olympic Career Training Institute
❚ Courtney Leon, program officer, Plough Foundation
❚ Janice A Banks, president & CEO, Small Planet Works
❚ Tommy Malone, president, Memphis Firefighter Association
❚ Kemp Conrad, councilman, Memphis City Council
❚ Julia Kavanagh, attorney, Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
Stout Mitchell said the list is a balance of new faces and those with lengthy records of service in Shelby County, bringing both energy and wisdom to advise Harris.
“Our community will finally have a focus on education, on poverty and on equity, and it’s way overdue,” she said. “If he is going to be successful in tackling these major issues, he will need qualified staff and people.”
Inez said bringing on board the leaders of community groups, like Stand for Children, was an intentional effort to bring those voices to the table.
“There are a lot of voices that aren’t ordinarily involved in the decisions that are made in government,” she said.
Inez said political affiliation was not considered when picking the team, although the list does feature at least two Republicans, Conrad and Billingsley.
Billingsley, who is also the vice president for advancement at Christian Brothers University, said he wants to help Harris succeed.
“Education and workforce development are really critical for the future, so I hope to lend certainly my political expertise but also my expertise as a champion of education,” he said.
He also wants to foster an improved relationship between the county mayor and the commission. Conrad said he has similar hopes. “It’s going to take everybody working together and a common agenda to make it happen on both sides of Civic Plaza.”
Reach Jennifer Pignolet at jennifer .pignolet@commercialappeal.com.