Professional Development
Power Moves

Philly Power Moves: You might recognize these names on Cherelle Parker’s transition team

Plus, state gov has a new chief information security officer, Exyn Technologies announced its new CEO, and more local leadership changes.

Cherelle Parker. (Courtesy Cherelle Parker's campaign)

With just a few weeks to go before her tenure begins, Mayor-Elect Cherelle Parker announced the members of her transition team last week. This includes a leadership team, senior advisors, a steering committee, 13 sub-committees and a transition staff.

“I have said that I will bring together the best and brightest from within City government, across Philadelphia and the region, and across the country; and crafting the policies that will create tangible results out of our promises on the campaign trail: to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest and greenest city in America with economic opportunity for all,” Parker said in a written statement about the news. “The lift of the transition will be heavy, but this will be the team to do it.”

Parker’s transition leadership team will be led by Ryan Boyer, business manager for the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, as the chair. Della Clark, president of the Enterprise Center, and Gregory Segall, founder and chairman of Versa Capital and Mantis Group, are the vice chairs.

Other notable names of the list include these Philadelphia tech and business leaders:

  • Anne Gemmell, principal of A. Gemm Consulting, is the vice chair of the City Administrative Services sub-committee and chair of the Technology and Implementation sub-committee.
  • Paul Levy, outgoing president and CEO of Center City District, is the vice chair of the Commerce and Economic Development sub-committee and on the Public Safety sub-committee.
  • Margaret Berger-Bradley, VP of strategic initiatives at Ben Franklin Technology Partners, is on the Commerce and Economic Development sub-committee.
  • Michelle Freeman, CEO of Witty Gritty, is on the 2026 Preparation sub-committee.
  • Alex Hillman, partner and director of strategy for 10k Independents Project, is on the Commerce and Economic Development sub-committee
  • Sheila Ireland, president and COO of Philadelphia OIC, is on the Commerce and Economic Development sub-committee.
  • Kenyatta James, program director at the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, on the Commerce and Economic Development sub-committee.
  • Nikki Pumphrey, senior managing director in Philadelphia at Per Scholas, is on the Education sub-committee.
  • Tiffany Wilson, president and CEO of the University City Science Center, is the vice chair of the Technology and Implementation sub-committee
  • Chris Alfano, CEO of Jarvus Innovations, is on the Technology and Implementation sub-committee.
  • Jeff Friedman, strategic account sales manager for Rekor, is on the Technology and Implementation sub-committee.
  • Kiera Smalls, executive director of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, is on the Technology and Implementation sub-committee.
  • Jeff Hornstein, executive director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, is on the Fiscal Stability sub-committee.
  • Holly Flanagan, managing director of Gabriel Investments, is on the Commerce and Economic Development sub-committee.

PA has a new chief information security officer

James Sipe was chosen to be the State of Pennsylvania’s new chief information security officer. He started the role at the end of November. This role manages cybersecurity for the Commonwealth’s IT systems and data. The CISO’s office also works with local governments to improve their cybersecurity.

Sipe was previously the security practice leader for strategic accounts at Amazon Web Services. Before that, he held multiple IT and compliance roles, including VP of compliance and IT security for MessageBird.

“I am excited to bring my 20-plus years of experience leading, advising, and working on cybersecurity and compliance for some of the world’s largest companies to my new role as CISO for the Commonwealth,” Sipe said in a written statement. “I look forward to building on the strong foundations of collaboration and leadership that are already in place to keep Pennsylvania at the forefront among states for cybersecurity.”

Exyn Technologies welcomes new CEO

Headshot of Brandon Torres Declet.

Brandon Torres Declet. (Courtesy Exyn Technologies)

Brandon Torres Declet is the new CEO of Exyn Technologies, a robotics company that developed a mapping aerial robot for GPS-denied environments.

Declet has experience in the drone industry and as an entrepreneur, board director and C-suite executive. Before this role, he was the CEO and board director of AgEagle Aerial Systems, and previously founded the aerial intelligence company MEASURE.

Former Exyn CEO Nader Elm stepped down from the company this year.

“It’s a great time to join Exyn Technologies. The company is well-established and has earned a solid reputation as a market leader in robotics and autonomy,” Declet said in a written statement. “I’m excited to build on this foundation and help drive increased value for our customers. Given my background and experience, I have a strong appreciation for what it takes to take a company, and particularly start-ups, like Exyn to the next level. I look forward to collaborating with the entire team to plan to ensure Exyn’s success.”

More Power Moves:

Sarah Huffman is a 2022-2024 corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The Groundtruth Project that pairs young journalists with local newsrooms. This position is supported by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism.
Power Moves is a column where we chart the comings and goings of talent across the region on the first Wednesday of the month. Got a new hire, gig or promotion? Email us at philly@technical.ly.
Update: Jeff Hornstein and Holly Flanagan have been added to the list of transition team members. (12/6/23, 3:25 p.m. and 12/11/23, 11:35 a.m.)
Companies: Neuralert / Exyn Technologies / Witty Gritty / dbt Labs / Forbes / Per Scholas / State of Pennsylvania / Wexford Science & Technology / University City District / Ben Franklin Technology Partners / Philadelphia OIC / Jarvus Innovations / Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia / Gabriel Investments / Economy League of Greater Philadelphia / City of Philadelphia / Center City District

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