Rybak picks top aide to lead city planning

April 4, 2012 at 4:15AM
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak conferred with his chief of staff Jeremy Hanson Willis, center and Chuck Lutz, deputy director for the city's Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) department during a break January 26, 2012. Mayor Rybak presented the new stadium proposal to the city council today.
From left: Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Jeremy Hanson Willis and Chuck Lutz, deputy director for the city’s Community Planning and Economic Development. (Dml - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said Tuesday he will nominate his chief of staff to lead the city's planning and development agency.

The appointment of Jeremy Hanson Willis to run the department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) is significant, since the agency has a hand in all development projects within city limits.

Hanson Willis joined the mayor's office as a press secretary in 2005, rising to the top job in 2009. In recent months, he has become an active behind-the-scenes player in Vikings stadium negotiations.

Before arriving at City Hall, Hanson Willis worked at Tunheim Partners and as a public policy director at the Minnesota Smoke-Free Coalition.

CPED's role is most prominent when it handles multi-million dollar public investment projects, but staffers also regularly advise city officials on zoning and land use questions. CPED's former leader, Mike Christenson, left Jan. 1 to run a college access program.

Hanson Willis' permanent appointment will eventually need approval from the City Council.

ERIC ROPER

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