The press release follows:

Philadelphia, February 8, 2010 – Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced several personnel changes to the Mayor’s Office. The changes were designed to increase productivity, maximize respective skill sets, improve workflow and strengthen team operations within the Mayor’s Office. There are no salary changes associated with any of the following announcements.

“I am pleased to have such a cadre of bright, talented young people in leadership positions within my Administration and I appreciate the wide range of skill sets and the professional competence that each brings to the table,” said Mayor Nutter. “Their breadth and depth of knowledge surpasses their years and I look forward to working with each of them in their new roles.”

The internal changes announced today include:

Luke Butler will assume the role of Special Assistant to the Mayor where he will be primarily responsible for staffing the Mayor on a day-to-day basis and serve as an on-site point of contact for the Mayor. In addition to these new responsibilities, he will retain many of his press/communications responsibilities, including responding to media inquiries and preparing some of the Mayor's remarks and statements. Luke previously served as Deputy Press Secretary in the Mayor’s Press Office.
Maura Kennedy will assume the new title of Deputy Press Secretary for Planning and Coordination. Maura previously held the title of Deputy Press Secretary.
Aviva Kievsky will assume the new title of Senior Press Aide. Aviva previously held the title of Press Aide.
Katherine Martin will assume the new role of Press Aide in the Mayor’s Office of Press and Communication where she will serve as a part of the press and communication operation by providing general administrative support, research, writing and event planning. Katherine previously served as the Briefing Book Coordinator in the Mayor’s Scheduling Office.

Erica Atwood will assume the new role of Coordinator, External Affairs and Community Engagement in the Mayor’s Office of Legislative Affairs where she will work with Tumar Alexander, Deputy Director of Legislative and Community Affairs, to develop and implement a sustained community outreach strategy for the Administration. Erica previously served as the Deputy City Representative in the Office of the City Representative.

Mary Horstmann will assume the new role of Deputy Director, Policy Planning and Coordination where she will work with Suzanne Biemiller, Director of that Office, to research, develop and write policy positions for the Administration in coordination with the Chief of Staff, Deputy Mayors and other City agencies as appropriate. Mary previously served as the Director of Private Sector Initiatives in the Office of the Managing Director.

David Torres will assume the new role of Mayoral Aide where he will be responsible for providing technical and organizational support and coordination for both the Special Assistant to the Mayor and the Mayor’s Executive Assistant. David previously served as Language Access Coordinator in the Office of the Managing Director.

In addition to these internal transfers, Mayor Nutter welcomes two new additions to the executive branch of government from outside of his Administration.

Lauren Vidas will join the Administration as an Assistant to the Finance Director. She will provide analytical support to the Finance Director and provide additional support to the Mayor’s Office as Coordinator, External Affairs and Public Engagement in the Mayor’s Office of Legislative Affairs working closely with Tumar Alexander from time to time. Lauren previously served as a Legislative Aide and Staff Attorney in the Office of City Councilman Bill Green.

“Lauren has been a tremendous asset to everything we’ve been able to accomplish during her time in City Council. I’m confident that she’ll be an asset to the Administration as well. I wish her well and look forward to working with her in her new role,” said Councilman Bill Green.

Brian Abernathy will join the Administration as a Deputy Managing Director in the Office of the Managing Director where he will be responsible for managing the activity of the Private Sector Outreach Board and for implementation of Reform Team recommendations. Previously, Brian served as Director of Policy and Public Relations in the Office of City Councilman Frank DiCiccio.

“Brian is an extremely intelligent, loyal and dedicated public servant and has been an integral and trusted part of my team for a long time. I wish him the best as he moves on to pursue his goals. As they say, one person’s loss is another’s gain,” said Councilman Diciccio. “Brian is a great addition to the Administration.”

Click here for Philly.com's politics page.