Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney will be appointing Tumar Alexander as the city’s Acting Managing Director. The transition will happen when current Managing Director Brian Abernathy steps down on Sept. 4. The transition has been confirmed by Eyewitness News.
Alexander is in consideration to replace Abernathy in a full-time capacity. “In the meantime, the review of the managing director’s office is still underway, and determining the best structure of the City’s operating departments is the mayor’s current focus,” a spokesperson said.
Abernathy announced his resignation earlier this month. His last day will be September 4.
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In his resignation letter, Abernathy said, “Our city has weathered tremendous hardship over the past several months. In a short period of time, we’ve faced a pandemic, the worst economic crisis in a century, and important but difficult civil unrest.
At the same time, we’ve seen a worsening opioid crisis, pervasive homelessness, and a rising murder rate. Throughout these months, there have been too many nights and weekends where my daughters have wondered where I was, and I’ve placed too many burdens on my wife’s shoulders. I love my job and my city and have made these sacrifices willingly, but 2020 has taken a toll on my family, on my mind, on my body, and on my soul.”
Alexander is currently first deputy managing director, directly serving under Abernathy. He began his service under the Street Administration, continuing through the Nutter Administration and now Kenney.
Alexander has been a key liaison between all three administrations and city council and played a pivotal role in both proposing and lobbying on behalf of the beverage tax.