D.C. Mayor Bowser Announces Key Appointments

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser issued the following news release:

Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a series of appointments in her Administration:

Kimberly Bassett, to be Acting Secretary of the District of Columbia.

Ms. Bassett previously served as Director of the Mayor's Office on Women's Policy and Initiatives before becoming the interim Secretary of the District of Columbia in December 2018. The former Executive Director of The Wireless Foundation, the philanthropic affiliate of CTIA-The Wireless Association, and Director of External Affairs for Verizon Washington, DC, Ms. Bassett brings to her new role extensive experience in community engagement, government relations, employee advocacy, and management. In her work as Director of Programs for DC Vote and as Director of Programs and Partnerships for The Stephen Case Foundation (AOL), she built expertise in working across large organizations and creating efficiencies. Ms. Bassett holds a Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina Central University and a Master of Arts from North Carolina A&T State University.

Christopher Geldart, to be Acting Director of the Department of Public Works.

Mr. Geldart is currently the CEO of CT Geldart and Associates a provider of full spectrum homeland security and emergency management consulting services. Prior to founding CT Geldart, he served as the Director of the District of Columbia's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) where he led the planning and execution of three presidentially declared disasters and 20 national special security events. Mr. Geldart is the former President and CEO of G2 Solutions and former Vice President for Homeland Security and Emergency Management for URS Corporation. Before joining URS, Mr. Geldart was FEMA's Director of the National Capital Region Coordination Office (NCRC), serving as the federal government's lead for domestic preparedness in the National Capital Region. Before joining FEMA in April 2007, Mr. Geldart worked for the State of Maryland as Assistant Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security. From 1989 to 2001 Mr. Geldart served in the United States Marine Corps, where he had several leadership positions in the Fleet Marine Force and was certified and served as an instructor in a joint military formal school environment. Mr. Geldart holds a bachelor's degree in American History from the University of Maryland.

Jennifer Porter, to be Director of the Mayor's Office on Women's Policy and Initiatives.

Currently the Government Affairs Specialist at the Children's National Health System Child Health Advocacy Institute, Mrs. Porter has held a number of volunteer leadership positions in local, regional, and national community service organizations that support and empower women. She serves as a Commissioner for the District of Columbia, Commission on Women and currently serves on the National Health Policy Conference Advisory Committee and serves on the National Policy Advisory Group for Girls Inc. Mrs. Porter is the former Chair of the DC Concerned Provider's Coalition and is a volunteer at the Healthy Babies Project DC. Mrs. Porter is currently the national chair for the national pregnancy prevention program Toys "U" Can't ReturnTM. In her spare time, Mrs. Porter is a trainer for the American Association of University Women's (AAUW) Women's Wage Negotiation training program and trains local women on tips and strategies to fight for economic equality and professional development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Howard University and a Master of Public Health, Health Promotion from The George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services.

In addition to these appointments, Mayor Bowser also announced her nominees for the Commission on Nightlife and Culture and her nominees for the Green Bank Authority Board of the Directors.

Nominees for the Commission on Nightlife and Culture

Vinoda Basnayake, Chair and business owner member: Mr. Basnayake is one of Washington, DC's top business entrepreneurs, specializing in the nightlife, hospitality, and lifestyle industries. Equipped with a powerhouse combination of business and legal experience, Basnayake has become a sought-after consultant for lifestyle brands across the country.

Anwan "BigG" Glover, artist member: Mr Glover, a legendary DC musician and one of the founding members of the BackYard Band, he made his acting debut in late 2003 as Slim Charles in the HBO television series The Wire. He has also appeared in music videos, such as Boyz n da Hood's "Dem Boyz" and Wale's "Chillin," among others. Mr. Glover hosts a nightly radio show on 93.9 WKYS-FM radio in the Washington metropolitan area.

Kenneth M. Holmes, university member: Mr. Holmes is Vice President of Student Affairs at Howard University. In this role, Mr. Holmes provides administrative leadership, vision, and counsel to the Office of the Vice President and Division of Student Affairs, including the Office of Residence Life, the Office of Off-Campus Housing and Community Engagement, the Student Health Center, the Armour J. Blackburn University Center, the Office of Student Life & Activities, the Office of Student Services, University Counseling Services, and Intramural Sports and Recreational Activities.

Colleen Hawkinson, BID member: Ms. Hawkinson serves as Executive Director of the Dupont Circle Business Improvement District (BID). As head of the BID, Ms. Hawkinson works to elevate Washington, DC's iconic Dupont Circle neighborhood with public space management, strategic marketing, and economic development initiatives. She has more than 20 years of experience in economic revitalization, urban planning, consensus-building, and infrastructure planning.

Maggie O'Neill, artist member: Ms. O'Neill is an artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur based in Washington, DC. Living and working in the Shaw neighborhood, her work is inspired by local landscapes and cultural icons, her travels abroad, notable women, and fashion. In 2012, Ms. O'Neill had the honor of personally delivering a portrait to President Obama, and in 2014, her "DC Uncle Sam" was featured on the front page of The New York Times.

Ian Callender, artist member: Mr. Callender is the owner of The Sneaker Suite and the Co-Founder of the Blind Whino SW Arts Club, an inclusive community-based arts non-profit dedicated to curated corporate and cultural programming and local food advocacy.

Nominees for the Green Bank Authority Board of the Directors

Lori Chatman, financial industry member: Ms. Chatman has over fifteen years of experience in community development through her senior leadership at Enterprise Community Investment, Inc. and Capital Impact Partners. Ms. Chatman specializes in capital innovation practice and strategic planning and implementation of capital funding.

Brandi Colander, financial, project management and legal services member: Ms. Colander serves as the Associate Vice President of the National Wildlife Federation. Ms. Colander works extensively to uphold the tenets of the National Environmental Protection Act and facilitates federal interagency coordination of the development of environmental and energy policies and initiatives.

Edward Hubbard, financial, project management and legal services member: Mr. Hubbard serves as General Counsel to Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) where he promotes a policy framework that encourages greater production and use of ethanol. Mr. Hubbard also focused on advancing RFA's tax and international trade public policy agenda.