Mayor Rybak Names Jennifer O’Rourke as Chief of Staff
Longtime advocate for Minnesota cities brings wealth of experience with local, state and federal government
May 23, 2012 (MINNEAPOLIS) — Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak announced today that he has selected Jennifer O’Rourke to serve as his office’s chief of staff.
For the past 11 years, O’Rourke has worked at the League of Minnesota Cities, a statewide organization that serves more than 800 member cities through advocacy, education and training, and policy development. As the League’s governmental relations representative, she advocates for League priorities at the Legislature, state agencies and congressional offices. In that role, she has worked in depth on policy issues of vital importance to the City of Minneapolis, including property taxes, Local Government Aid and economic development.
O’Rourke previously served as committee administrator of the Economic Development Budget Committee in the Minnesota Senate. Her community service includes being an active school volunteer and fundraiser, and youth athletics coach.
Mayor Rybak said, “For many years, I’ve seen Jenn O’Rourke build effective coalitions that have helped Minnesota cities, including Minneapolis, meet the challenges that we all face. She’s smart and well versed in the many issues that affect us at the State Capitol, especially property-tax reform, but her knowledge and experience translates very well outside the Capitol. I admire her ability to collaborate across layers of government and look forward to her putting those skills to work in my office. I’m very pleased that she’s joining our team. She will hit the ground running.”
Jennifer O’Rourke said, “This new role is the perfect next step of applying the work I’ve done for the last 11 years to the office of a reform-minded mayor of a results-oriented city. I’m excited to get started.”
O’Rourke, whose appointment is not subject to City Council confirmation, will start in her new role on June 4.
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Published May. 23, 2012