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Government of the District of Columbia Office of Communications
MAYOR WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF DEPUTY MAYOR(Washington, DC) Margret Nedelkoff Kellems, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, is departing city service after nearly four years to join a national investment firm. Kellems, who oversaw homeland security, police, fire, emergency medical services, corrections, emergency management, and the medical examiner, joined the Williams administration September 11, 2000. During her tenure, the District developed the first accredited local emergency management program in the nation; secured more than $200 million in federal funds for homeland security equipment, technology, and training; shut down the Lorton penitentiary system; increased funding to hire the authorized 3,800 police and an additional 120 firefighters; and implemented a state-of-the-art 911 system. "Margret has made enormous and lasting contributions to the quality of life and security of this city," Mayor Williams said. "What she has done to improve homeland security and public safety will continue to benefit the District of Columbia and the National Capital Region for years to come." "It has been my privilege to serve the residents of this city and Mayor Williams as he has led the resurgence of Washington, DC with exceptional dedication, compassion and skill," Kellems said. "Every day in this job has been demanding, but even more rewarding. Now, I look forward to a new challenge in the private sector." Kellems starts in June at Friedman, Billings, Ramsey as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Investment Banking. An interim Deputy Mayor will be named to fill the position until a permanent replacement is appointed. Government of the District of Columbia Office of Communications
Statement of City Administrator and Deputy Mayor Robert C. Bobb On the Departure of Deputy Mayor Margret Nedelkoff KellemsMargret Kellems, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, announced this morning that she will leave her position next month. Her departure will leave a huge hole in the operational management of the city. Margret Kellems has defined the job of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. She has set a standard of performance that will be hard to match. The responsibilities of the office are staggering. In addition to overseeing police department, the fire and emergency medical services agency, emergency preparedness, the office of the medical examiner, and corrections, she is also the executive branch liaison to the federal justice agencies that provide services in the District. Under Margret's leadership, the District has received more than $200 million in federal emergency preparedness funding. She presided over the closing of Lorton prison and she has brought our emergency response plan to a new level of professionalism and accreditation. She has improved the 911 emergency system as well as the emergency radio systems police, fire and ambulance services and she has brought a new level of regional coordination to emergency preparedness in the wake of the terrorist attacks on America in September of 2001. She has been a strong advocate for the needs of the agencies under her authority, increasing staffing at FEMS and MPD. She has improved the performance and professionalism of all the agencies in her cluster through increased training and professional development and through the acquisition of better equipment and facilities. Without the slightest reservation, I can say that Deputy Mayor Kellems is one of the most talented, energetic, articulate and capable public servants that I have ever known. And I say this having served for over 30 years in government. She has served this government well and we will miss her guidance, judgment, leadership and keen sense of humor. I join Mayor Williams, my fellow deputy mayors and all the employees of the District in thanking Margret for her years of dedicated service and wishing her the best in her future endeavors. |
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