Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 8, 2010
Kelly Swanson, Swanson Communications
Ph: 202-783-5500 or Cell: 202-997-1878

D.C. Council Chairman-Elect Kwame R. Brown Introduces Transition Team Members

WASHINGTON - Today, Council Chairman-Elect Kwame R. Brown formally launched his transition process today
by introducing members of his transition team during a morning press conference held at the John A. Wilson Building.

"The transition team will help ensure that the Council can best address the profound fiscal challenges before us as well
as expand opportunities for employment and quality education for all District residents," said Chairman-Elect Brown,
who will be sworn in as the seventh Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia on Sunday, January 2nd, at
the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. "I'm confident that the Transition Team will provide me with a
comprehensive analysis of current practices and make concrete recommendations to improve Council operations."

The Transition Team members, led by Chairperson Gregory M. McCarthy, will undertake a thorough review of the
legislative branch's overall operations and provide the Chairman-Elect with an evaluation of current practices, as well
as recommendations for improvements, efficiencies, and possible realignment.

Mr. McCarthy previously served as director of policy and evaluation and deputy chief of staff under former Mayor
Anthony Williams from 1999-2006. He is currently the vice president for government and municipal affairs for the
Washington Nationals Baseball Club.

"I'm extremely grateful to Gregory for his willingness to serve me and the District in this transition. I can't think of
anyone better equipped to do the job," said Chairman-Elect Brown.

In addition to McCarthy, Chairman-Elect Brown has assembled a dynamic group of individuals, who have agreed to
serve the District of Columbia on a volunteer basis, to lead specific transition efforts. Team members include, in
alphabetical order (Downlaod Bios here: http://www.thewedistrict.com/wp-
content/uploads/2010/11/Transition_Team_Leader_Bios_FINAL.pdf):

Irma Esparza Diggs, chief of staff to Chairman-Elect Brown, will lead the effort to assess and staff his immediate
office and that of the Committee of the Whole. Prior to her service in DC government, Ms. Diggs served with
Councilmember Brown in President Clinton's Department of Commerce. She has also managed political campaigns in
several states and organized successful advocacy campaigns on progressive issues.

Jeffrey Humber will lead a review of the city's fiscal situation as well as the functions of the Council's Budget Office.
Mr. Humber was previously chairman of the board for the Washington Convention Center Authority and served at
Merrill Lynch. Chairman-Elect Brown has asked him to evaluate the feasibility of creating a Budget Advisory Council,
much like the Advisory Council that assists the current Office of Policy Analysis. Mr. Humber will look at the best
practices in municipal budget practices concerning both revenue and expenditures.
Natalie Ludaway, a partner with Leftwich & Ludaway, a law firm specializing in labor and employment matters, will
lead an assessment of the Office of the General Counsel. Ms. Ludaway is the vice chair of CareFirst and a member of
the Judicial Nominations Commission of the District of Columbia.

Neil Rodgers, who currently directs the office of the Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation, will lead an
assessment of the Council's administrative functions, largely overseen by the Office of the Secretary. Neil previously
served as chief of staff of the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation.

Walter Smith, executive director of DC Appleseed, has agreed to lead a review of the operations of the Office of the
DC Auditor. His team will examine similar offices across the country and assess the possible refinements of the office's
mission and performance. Mr. Smith has participated in dozens of external reviews of District government functions.
Michael Warren will lead the transition's public engagement effort, looking at new ways to increase public
participation in the Council's work through social media and interactive technologies. He will assess the Offices of
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and Youth Services in order to seek better input from citizens where they work
and live. Mr. Warren is a principal and managing board member of the Albright Stonebridge Group and was a member
of the Obama-Biden transition. He serves on the Board of Directors of the District of Columbia Retirement Board.

Rod Woodson, a partner at Holland & Knight, will lead an analysis and evaluate possible changes in the Council's
legislative procedures and rules. He has decades of expertise in DC administrative and legislative practices. Mr.
Woodson's practice spans the areas of administrative, regulatory, and legislative issues with a focus on D.C. municipal
law.

The transition team is exploring possibilities with members of Georgetown University faculty about providing
technical and analytical assistance to the various task forces. In addition, Chairman-Elect Brown has directed all the
task forces to engage experts at the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, the National League of Cities,
the National Conference of State Legislatures, and DC Appleseed for information on best practices and existing
resources.

"As Chairman of the Council, I want to ensure that our agenda is clearly focused in four key areas--fiscal
responsibility, job creation, education reform, and governmental accountability," said Chairman-Elect Brown. "The
Transition Team will help me identify ways to improve the operation of the Council and advance core agenda items.
We need to engage the public in the decision-making process of the District government so they share a vision of a city
where people want to live, find jobs or open businesses, and raise their children."

Chairman-Elect Brown also announced the launch of his transition team's website, www.dccouncilchair.com. This site
will provide information to the public about the transition's activities and how to participate on the team.

For more information or for transition inquiries, please contact Kelly Swanson at 202-783-5500 or
kswanson@swansonpr.com.

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