Mayor Horrigan Announces Upcoming Changes To Cabinet

Akron, Ohio, February 24, 2022 — Today, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan has announced several changes to his Cabinet including a new Deputy Mayor for Labor Relations, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Director of Strategic Development. He’s also announced the departure of the City’s Deputy Director of Finance.

Randy Briggs, Deputy Mayor for Labor Relations will be stepping down from his current position into a part-time role effective February 28, 2022. Briggs started his career with the City in 2013 when he was appointed to his current position by then Mayor Plusquellic.

Randy graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York in 1980 and obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron, School of Law, in 1983. Briggs was then engaged in private practice with the law firm of Sternberg, Newman & Associates, later becoming partner in the firm of Cook, Davis & Briggs. After leaving Cook, Davis & Briggs he started the firm of Briggs & Pry with fellow attorney Russ Pry. During those years he also worked as a Magistrate in the Akron Municipal Court. Randy will stay on part-time as Assistant to the Mayor and will continue to work in the Labor Relations arena, providing support and counsel on Labor issues.

“Randy Briggs has been an invaluable member of my team since I first took office," said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. "I have come to rely on his depth of knowledge in his field along with his well-known humor, as both have been needed throughout my tenure. I am pleased to have Randy staying on in a part-time capacity to lend his expertise as he gets to enjoy a well-earned step back from the full-time role a Cabinet member commits to. I thank Randy for his years of public service and congratulate him on a distinguished career."

“I want to thank Mayor Horrigan for giving me the opportunity to serve in his Cabinet,” said Randy Briggs. “I am very grateful to have worked with so many talented and committed people over the years. And as I start a new chapter in my life, I will continue to serve in other capacities and will always work to better this wonderful community that has given me so much.”

His position will be filled by Frank Williams who currently serves as Assistant to the Mayor for Labor Relations. Williams’ current role will not be replaced. Frank began his public service career in 1991 as an Akron Police Officer and served in multiple capacities during his tenure with the Akron Police Dept. He was elected President of the Fraternal Order of Police, Akron Lodge #7 where he represented the Akron Police Bargaining members during contract negotiations, disciplines, and workplace concerns.

“Frank Williams brings over three decades of experience to his new position at the City,” continued Mayor Horrigan. “I am confident that he will only continue to grow and develop the long-standing relationships established by his predecessor Randy Briggs. I look forward to his leadership in this role.”

Additionally, Tamiyka Rose has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff under new Chief of Staff, Gert Wilms. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Tamiyka will oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Racial Equity and Social Justice Taskforce and the Youth Violence Prevention Strategic Plan, in addition to continuing her work on Health Equity and Public Policy.

“Tamiyka’s work on my Full Term First Birthday initiative has created real, measurable results for mothers and babies in our community,” said Mayor Horrigan. “Her work speaks for itself and as she continues these crucial initiatives towards increasing equity here in Akron, I am excited she has agreed to step into this new role as my Deputy Chief of Staff. Her support and guidance will be crucial in the work ahead and I’m happy to have her here.”

Catey Breck will be joining Mayor Horrigan’s Cabinet taking on the role of Director of Strategic Development. She will report directly to Deputy Mayor for Integrated Development Sean Vollman. Catey Breck has spent the majority of her career serving the people of Northeast Ohio as a Congressional staffer in various positions for two Members of Congress. In 2021, Breck joined the City in the Office of Integrated Development. In her role, Breck manages and develops the City’s work within the Elevate Akron strategic plan, the Akron Financial Empowerment Center, and oversees the divisions of Downtown Operations, Recreation and Parks, and projects within Small Business and Entrepreneurship, including leading the City’s submission to the Bloomberg Global Mayors Challenge.

“Catey’s years of experience will be instrumental in moving our development efforts forward. She has already proven to be a valuable member of our OID team and I look forward to officially having her as a member of my Cabinet,” said Mayor Horrigan.

Lastly, the City’s Deputy Director of Finance Shelley Goodrich will be leaving the City effective on March 4, 2022. Shelley joined the City in September of 2019 and since then has worked on a multitude of projects benefiting Akron residents and City employees. In addition to her work on the annual budgets and audits and supervising the 8 departments in the City's Finance Department, Goodrich was also instrumental in the administration of Cares Act and American Rescue Plan Act Funding, implementing the City's new financial management software, bringing on Akron's first Supplier Diversity and Contract Compliance Officer, Sheena Fain, and working with her on procurement reform and diversifying the City's spend. Shelley will be taking some time to finish her CPA before pursuing the next step in her career.

“In Shelley’s time with the City, she has accomplished a great deal, from increasing our diversity spend to helping manage the infusions of State and Federal funding the City has received due to the pandemic. I want to thank her for all her efforts for our employees and citizens and I wish her well in all her future endeavors,” said Mayor Horrigan.

A job posting will be made in the coming days for Goodrich’s replacement.