St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman announced two changes in his top staff Thursday:
- Cecile Bedor, who’s been director of the Planning and Economic Development department for eight years, is leaving the city to be executive vice president at Greater MSP, the regional development agency.
- Kristin Beckman will be the new deputy mayor.
Bedor has been head of PED since 2006, when Coleman appointed her as one of the early first-term top appointments. The mayor praised Bedor’s work:
“Cecile has been a true asset for the City of Saint Paul, cultivating successes in historically difficult economic times, and it is hard to see her go.”
He listed many of her accomplishments: the Penfield, the Lofts at Farmers Market, rezoning of Central Corridor and several projects along University Avenue, the Inspiring Communities program, Schmidt Brewery, and the planning work to date on the redevelopment of the Ford site.
She also lead the successful negotiations with Exxon Mobil, ensuring future development and green space at Victoria Park, and facilitated the move of many new businesses into Saint Paul.
Coleman said he’ll appoint a successor in the next few months.
Beckman has been Vice President of Programs and Services at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, and will start at the city May 19. She replaces Paul Williams, who was deputy mayor until he left last week to become executive director at Project for Pride in Living.
Previously, Beckmann was Executive Director of the MN State Council of the Service Employees International Union, worked at the Minnesota Department of Health and the Office of the State Auditor and was Co-Director of Mayor Betsy Hodges’ transition.
