Transition appointments by Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield are in the news

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Multiple news outlets are reporting that Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has named a number of key advisors and staffers. Here are the latest.

Detroit Mayor-elect Sheffield taps longtime staffer for Deputy Mayor

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has chosen Brian White, her longtime chief of staff at the City Council, as the city’s next deputy mayor as well as her senior adviser.

Sheffield, 38, takes office Jan. 1 as the city’s next mayor, and White’s appointment is the first major public announcement of her incoming administration. Sheffield indicated she expects White, 53, to play a key role in shaping policy and executing her vision, according to a Monday statement from Sheffield’s transition team.

“I’ve seen firsthand his unwavering commitment to the people of Detroit,” Sheffield said in the statement. “As Deputy Mayor, he will play a crucial role in helping lead this city forward by assisting me with executing the rigorous and transformative policy agenda I set forth during this past election cycle.” Read the full story here.

Bettison to remain Detroit police chief under Sheffield’s administration

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield says the city’s current police chief will retain his role when Sheffield takes office, citing a major drop in violent crime under his leadership.

Sheffield’s transition initiative announced Tuesday that Todd Bettison has been reappointed as the city’s police chief, noting that Bettison had overseen a 50% reduction in nonfatal shootings between 2022 and 2024, while carjackings have fallen 71% since 2015.

“There’s nothing more important to the community and me as mayor than improving public safety,” Sheffield said in a statement. “It’s rare to have a Chief of Police who has the respect of their peers, the loyalty of the rank and file, and the hearts and trust of the people. That is precisely what we have in Chief Bettison, who brings with him nearly 3 decades of service to our great City as a member of the Detroit Police Department.”

Bettison worked for the Detroit Police Department for 27 years and was the second-highest-ranking member of the department when he retired to accept a role as deputy mayor in 2022. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan appointed him as interim chief in October 2024 and then recommended he take on the role full-time in February of this year, which city council then approved. Read the full story here. BY: Kyles Davidson, Michigan Advance

Transition Tracker: Sheffield picks familiar name for chief of staff role

Detroit’s new mayor has her chief of staff – and it’s an unsurprising pick.

David Bowser, who served as Mary Sheffield’s senior policy advisor during her campaign, will take on the role supporting the incoming administration. Bowser is also the director of Sheffield’s Rise Higher Detroit transition team, overseeing the hiring process of dozens of jobs for the new administration.

Bowser is a familiar name at City Hall; He served under Mayor Mike Duggan since 2017 as deputy director of the Housing and Revitalization Department, deputy director of the Community Health Corps and director of Human Services.

In a press release, the Rise Higher Detroit team said Bowser brings “deep operational and structural knowledge and relationships” as well as a track record of “advancing community-driven solutions to help build a government that listens to residents and delivers results.”

“David Bowser’s deep understanding of Detroit’s communities and the challenges our residents face makes him uniquely prepared for this role,” Sheffield said in the release. “He brings a forward-thinking commitment to equity that our administration is being built upon. As chief of staff, he will help to guide a government that listens, puts Detroiters first and continues to rise higher.”

As chief of staff, Bowser will oversee city-wide communications functions, priority strategic initiatives, internal mayor’s office administrative functions, city-wide performance and process improvement and high-priority projects delegated by Sheffield. He will also serve as a senior advisor to the mayor.

Read the full story here. by Malachi Barrett, BridgeDetroit

Chamber’s Stevens and Board Members Appointed to Detroit Mayor-Elect Sheffield’s Transition Team

The Detroit Regional Chamber reports: “Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield’s administration continues to take shape, with the addition of high-profile, seasoned professionals, including the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Glenn Stevens Jr. and various Chamber Board members.” The Chamber goes on to point out Stevens’ qualifications for his new positions on the Innovation and Emerging Industries Transition Committee. “With his knowledge of and relationships throughout the industry, Stevens has a finger on the pulse of what’s driving Michigan’s signature industry and the role it has in advancing the city, region, and state,” the Chamber says. It adds that Stevens has more than 30 years of management, strategy, and operations experience across the automotive, steel, specialty chemicals, and capital equipment industries. For the past 14 years, his career has been focused on serving membership-based organizations, communities, and economic development across Michigan. Another 11 Chamber members have also been appointed to the team. See the full list here.

Skilla Baby & Detroit Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield gift a mother a home

Detroit rapper Skilla Baby has built a reputation that extends beyond music. Known for staying connected to his roots, the Detroit native partnered with mayor-elect Mary Sheffield over the weekend to help a local family secure stable housing just in time for Christmas.

The joint effort resulted in a major breakthrough for a mother of three who had been living in a homeless shelter. Through the support of Skilla Baby and Sheffield, the family received six months of rent-free housing and was able to move into a permanent home. The move marked a turning point for a family facing housing instability and highlighted a growing focus on community-driven solutions in Detroit.

Mary Sheffield, who is set to take office as Detroit’s mayor, has built her public career around issues of housing access and equity. Her involvement in this initiative reflects priorities she has emphasized throughout her time in public service. The partnership with Skilla Baby allowed resources to be mobilized quickly. Rather than relying on lengthy processes, the effort focused on meeting an urgent need. Read the full story here. By Yuriy Andriyashchuk, Hiphop Vibe