Emanuel Begins Building Transition Team

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 24, 2011 5:40PM

Mayor-Elect Emanuel is wasting no time in putting together his transition team. Emanuel has tapped Museum of Science and Industry president and CEO David Mosena, CNA senior vice-president of corporate communications and public affairs Sarah Pang and Apostolic Church of God pastor Byron Brazier as members of the team. Emanuel is expected to hold a news conference shortly to announce the full team.

Both Mosena and Pang are former top aides in the Daley Administration. Mosena was an all-purpose troubleshooter, serving as Daley's chief of staff, planning and aviation commissioner and CTA president. Pang was a deputy chief of staff who served as Daley's liaison to the Police and Fire departments. Thirteen years ago, Pang led the search for a new police superintendent that led to the hiring of Terry Hilliard for the job and it's expected that her connections to the Police department will help Emanuel in finding a replacement for Superintendent Jody Weis, whose time is quickly running out. Rev. Brazier, as head of one of Chicago's largest and most powerful African American congregations, provides Emanuel with a vital link to black voters on the South side.

Mosena's experience as a chief of staff and as a museum CEO will help Emanuel in assembling a Cabinet and make connections to local arts groups. The announcements aren't much of a surprise. Emanuel named Mosena and Brazier as two of three people he would confide in during last week's ABC7 debate.