Baltimore City Council President and incoming Mayor Sheila Dixon named four Cabinet-level positions yesterday for her administration, which will begin when Mayor Martin O'Malley becomes governor next month.
Dixon selected Christopher Thomaskutty, 29, to head the CitiStat program. Citi- Stat, started under the O'Malley administration, uses data to hold city agencies accountable. Thomaskutty began working for the program in 2003 and oversaw an initiative to root out waste in the city school system.
Demaune Millard, a project manager with the Washington-based American Public Transportation Association, will direct Dixon's office of government relations, which largely works to sell the administration's agenda to the City Council and the General Assembly. Millard, 34, was an aide to former Gov. Parris N. Glendening.
Dixon named Mary Pat Fannon, 32, who has served as the director of the Baltimore Main Streets program since 2003, as a deputy director of government relations. The Main Streets program is an extension of the Baltimore Development Corp.
Edward J. Gallagher, 71, director of the Department of Finance, will remain in his position during her administration, Dixon said.
"These appointments reflect the energy and optimism that people have for Baltimore right now," Dixon said. "All four individuals could easily do well in the private sector. ... But I think it says something about their commitment and passion for their city that they each chose to join me in keeping Baltimore moving forward."
Dixon has been naming key members of her administration over the past several weeks.
Most of the appointments, including her top aides, have come from within O'Malley's administration.
"We all look forward to working as hard as we possibly can to continue to ensure that our agencies continue with a seamless transition," Thomaskutty said.
john.fritze@baltsun.com