Mayor Jim Ferrell announced major staffing changes for his office on Monday.
The position of chief of staff will not be filled. As part of his executive-level reorganization, the city clerk, Emergency Management, and Human Resources will now report directly to the mayor.
Mayor Ferrell also announced the creation of a senior policy advisor position to be filled by attorney Yarden Weidenfeld.
Weidenfeld was born and raised in Rochester, New York. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University, with honors in general studies and with a concentration in government, particularly political theory and earned his law degree from the University of Washington School of Law.
Weidenfeld served for five years as executive director for Toward Tradition, an educational nonprofit organization founded by Rabbi Daniel Lapin. From 2004 to 2010, he was a King County deputy prosecuting attorney under the late Norm Maleng and current prosecuting attorney Dan Satterberg.
From 2011 to 2014, he was chief criminal deputy prosecuting attorney for Skamania County under prosecuting attorney Adam Kick. As a criminal prosecutor, Weidenfeld worked closely with law enforcement to hold accountable those committing property crimes, drug crimes, violent crimes, and sex crimes.
In 2014, Weidenfeld was appointed an assistant attorney general by Washington State Attorney General Robert Ferguson.
As senior policy advisor, Weidenfeld’s portfolio will include policy initiatives such as addressing aircraft noise, mitigating homelessness, regional transit issues and reducing violent crime. He will serve as a member of the mayor’s management team.
Steve McNey, the city’s current community outreach and government relations coordinator will become senior advisor to the mayor. McNey will manage communications, government relations, regional affairs, as well as special projects such as the city’s rebranding campaign. He will also work on general policy issues.
Lastly, Kathy Arndt, who serves as the mayor’s executive assistant, will become office manager.
These changes will become effective Monday, Dec. 5.
