Home » Mayor Fischer makes multiple appointments to Metro Government leadership

Mayor Fischer makes multiple appointments to Metro Government leadership

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Greg Fischer announced promotions Thursday for multiple Louisville Metro Government officials who have been running the Louisville Metro Office for Performance Improvement, Louisville Metro Criminal Justice Commission, the Transit Authority of River City, Louisville Free Public Library, Louisville Metro Parks & Recreation, Louisville Metro Department of Economic Development and Louisville Metro Office for Housing and Community Development on an interim basis.

Carmen Moreno-Rivera

Moreno-Rivera has been appointed chief of the Office for Performance Improvement (OPI). She brought her expertise and experience to Louisville Metro Government from UPS in 2017 and was named interim chief of Metro OPI last fall to replace Daro Mott.

“I made a commitment to continuous, data-driven improvement from Day One as mayor, and Metro OPI is now a national model,” said Mayor Fischer. “Carmen Moreno-Rivera has quickly proven that she is a leader and an innovator worthy of OPI’s reputation.”

Moreno-Rivera was with UPS from 2003 to 2017, ultimately serving as Air Region Operations Excellence Manager.

“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve our residents and Metro employees through the continued success of OPI,” said Moreno-Rivera. “I am committed to using data analysis and innovative problem solving to drive continuous improvement and efficiency in our government processes.”

Metro OPI provides management consulting services to Louisville Metro Government. Staff members facilitate cross-functional teams to help solve problems and train Metro leadership, managers, and employees in continuous improvement methodologies and project management.

Faith Augustine

Augustine has been appointed executive director of the Louisville Metro Criminal Justice Commission.

Augustine has been on the Criminal Justice Commission staff for 15 years and was named interim executive director last fall after the retirement of Kim Allen. Prior to becoming Interim Executive Director, Augustine served as Public Protection Coordinator for the Commission.

“Faith Augustine is a model public servant with the right mix of experience and skills to take on a vital role at the center of our city’s No. 1 priority, public safety,” Mayor Fischer said. “We’re facing challenging times that will require even greater coordination, planning, and understanding of public safety, and demonstrated leaders like Faith will be more important than ever.”

The Criminal Justice Commission works to improve the administration of justice and promote public safety through planning, research, education, and system-wide coordination of criminal justice and public safety initiatives. The 27-member Commission Board is comprised of key local, state, and federal criminal justice and public safety representatives, Louisville Metro Government officials, and citizens representing the community.

“I’m honored to serve as Director and to work with the Criminal Justice Commission Board in a new capacity,” said Augustine.

Ferdinand Risco Jr.

Risco has been appointed executive director at the Transit Authority of River City (TARC). He was named interim executive director at TARC last fall, when he took over for J. Barry Barker, who retired after directing the public transit agency for almost 25 years.

A veteran of the public transit sector and the military, Risco joined TARC in 2017. Prior to TARC, he was executive director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Association.

“The TARC Board and I appreciate Ferdinand’s hard work to ensure a smooth transition following the retirement of Barry Barker. I look forward to working together to continue enhancing the transportation opportunities in the Greater Louisville region,” said Cedric Powell, Chairman, TARC Board of Directors.

The region’s primary bus service, TARC serves more than 41,000 daily riders on 43 routes in Jefferson, Bullitt, and Oldham counties in Kentucky and Clark and Floyd counties in southern Indiana.

“It is a great privilege to be appointed to this position,” Risco said. “TARC is a dedicated organization, with a hard-working and committed workforce. Together — as members of the community we serve — we look forward to continuing to improve the customer experience and bring about important and necessary progress in economic development. I am honored to represent TARC and the Greater Louisville Region as we continue to lead the industry in providing innovative and reliable mobility solutions.”

Lee Burchfield

Burchfield has been appointed director of the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL). He was named interim director of LFPL last fall upon the departure of Director Jim Blanton.

“Lee Burchfield is a true home-grown talent, having been with the Library since 1997,” said Mayor Fischer. “The library system is experiencing great momentum these days, and Lee has the vision and expertise to keep it moving forward.”

Burchfield has held multiple posts with LFPL, including Assistant Director, Assistant Branch Manager, Electronic Resources Supervisor, Manager of Computer Services, and Director of Strategic Planning & Technology.

“I am humbled and excited to be entrusted with the leadership of the Louisville Free Public Library,” said Burchfield. “In my 22 years with LFPL, I have seen how much our library system is loved by and depended upon by residents of every part of Louisville Metro. We have a tremendously talented and dedicated staff, some of the country’s best library facilities, and a reputation for providing innovative and outstanding programming for the community.”

Dana Kasler

Kasler has been appointed director at Louisville Metro Parks & Recreation. He has been interim director at Metro Parks & Recreation since last fall, when he replaced former Director Seve Ghose.

Kasler is a veteran of more than 26 years in parks and recreation administration. He joined Metro Parks & Recreation in early 2018, when he was named Assistant Director of Revenue Facilities. Prior to that, he was Director of Parks and Recreation in Parkland, Fla.

“The parks are among our city’s crown jewels,” said Mayor Fischer. “They are precious greenspace for recreation and community gatherings, as well as a place for peace and solitude. Dana Kasler was thrown into this job after a short time in Louisville, but he is clearly up to the task.”

“I’m honored and excited,” Kasler said. “We have one of the best park systems in the country and I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

Louisville Parks and Recreation is a nationally accredited parks and recreation agency that manages 120 parks and six parkways on more than 13,000 acres of land and operates recreation programs for all ages.

Rebecca Fleischaker

A veteran of the Louisville Metro Government team, Fleischaker has been appointed director of the Department of Economic Development. She has been interim director of the department since January.

“Rebecca Fleischaker is the quintessential team player, and there is nothing you can throw at her that she can’t do,” said Mayor Fischer. “She has helped build Louisville Forward into one of the country’s most respected economic development efforts.”

Fleischaker has worked for three mayors and managed several successful large and visible projects, bringing new jobs and investment, and fruitful relationships to the city. Prior to taking the interim directorship, Fleischaker had been Deputy Director since 2014. She joined the newly merged Louisville Metro Government in 2003. Before that, she worked for former Mayor David Armstrong and in the private sector.

“I’m proud to represent Louisville, both residents and businesses in leading the Department of Economic Development,” said Fleischaker. “I am honored to work with a great team who make our city a great place to do business – whether small or large – and attract new jobs and talent.”

The Department of Economic Development is part of Louisville Forward, the city’s integrated approach to economic and community development, combining business attraction, expansion and retention activities, and talent and workforce attraction, with all of the city’s real estate development, land use and planning and design functions to present a unified solution for job growth and quality of place.

Marilyn Harris

Harris has been appointed director of the Louisville Metro Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD). She has been interim director of OHCD since January. Harris joined Louisville Metro Government in August 2017 after nearly 20 years at the Kentucky Housing Corporation, most recently as Director of Housing Production.

“The work being done in our Office of Housing and Community Development is vital to the growth of our city,” said Mayor Fischer. “Marilyn Harris’ experience in community building and proven leadership will continue to strengthen our neighborhoods and uplift our residents.

The Office of Housing and Community Development is part of Develop Louisville, which is housed in Louisville Forward, and is a critical arm supporting the city’s quality of place initiatives at the family and neighborhood levels.

“For the past 20 years, my career has been working for the betterment of the Commonwealth,” said Harris. “I am thrilled to now be able to use my knowledge, passion and experience to play an integral role in the development of my hometown.”