Commerce Dept. official gets temporary post
Curtis Gregory, a city Commerce Department official, will temporarily lead the Office of Economic Opportunity, Mayor Nutter said yesterday.
Gregory will succeed Michael Bell, who was fired two weeks ago after an eight-month stint trying to revamp the office and boost minority participation in city contracts. Bell was asked to leave after administration officials questioned his competence.
Gregory is director of business services, a separate Commerce Department unit. In a meeting with the Inquirer editorial board, Nutter said the economic opportunity office - which replaced the Minority Business Enterprise Council - would focus on reaching out to minority businesses to make them aware of city contracting opportunities, and also to work more closely with other city departments in hiring minority firms. - Marcia Gelbart
