Feature Story: The Game Changer Suzette Denslow, chief of staff: A Richmond native, Denslow has been legislative director and deputy policy director under two governors, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner. She also served as deputy director of the Virginia Municipal League. Denslow also is an adjunct professor in Virginia Tech's Center for Public Administration. She started in January. Jeff Bourne, deputy chief of staff: Bourne provides policy research, analysis and development strategies to both the mayor and chief administrative officer. He is the point person for the city's 2010 census. Prior to city service, he practiced at Morris & Morris law firm. Bourne started in late September. David Hicks, senior policy advisor: Originally from New Jersey, Hicks served as Richmond commonwealth's attorney from 1994 to 2005. During his tenure, Richmond established Project Exile and drug courts. He chaired Jones' mayoral campaign and transition team. Hicks' University of Virginia degrees are in economics and law. He started at City Hall in January. Byron Marshall, chief administrative officer: The Washington, D.C., native most recently served as president and chief executive officer of the Austin Revitalization Authority in Texas. From 1994 to 1997, he was chief operating officer in Atlanta. He attended undergraduate and graduate school at Syracuse's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He began full time in August. Chris Beschler, deputy chief administrative officer for operations: In 2006, Beschler became the city's public utilities director. Prior, he had worked 26 years with a gas company in Connecticut. His University of Connecticut undergraduate degree is in mechanical engineering, and his graduate degree is in business administration. From August 2008 through July 2009, he was acting CAO as well as deputy CAO of operations. Peter H. Chapman, deputy chief administrative officer for economic and community development: Prior to arriving in Richmond in July, Chapman served two years as executive director of the Denver branch of Seedco Financial, a national nonprofit community-development financial institution. He also had overseen various city departments as well as quasi-municipal agencies including the Denver Housing Authority and the Office of Cultural Affairs. He has a master's degree in public policy from Tufts University. Marcus Jones, deputy chief administrative officer for finance and administration: The Caroline County native most recently was Norfolk's assistant city manager. He also has served as deputy secretary of finance under Gov. Mark Warner, as assistant secretary of finance under Gov. Jim Gilmore and as a senior legislative analyst for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. He started in late August. Cheryl Ivey-Green, executive assistant to the mayor: Ivey-Green worked with Jones in the General Assembly for 11 years. She oversaw his staff and assisted in his work with the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. The Newport News native manages the mayor's daily schedule and manages his office. Tammy Hawley, press secretary: A Richmonder, she has served as chief operating officer and chief development officer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and as executive general manager for the Afro-American Newspapers Company. She also was chief of staff for former Maryland Congressman Kweisi Mfume. Hawley graduated from the VCU School of Business. She was a January appointment.
NOTE: This article has been corrected since publication.
