Kenney hires four to head Rebuild program

Four full-time staffers have been hired to oversee the city's Rebuild program to renovate parks, recreation centers and libraries. Their combined salaries add up to $512,000.

Rebuild, a $600 million initiative, will draw from a list of 406 city facilities and parks flagged for improvements, to conduct upgrades. The city is borrowing $300 million to pay for the plan. Foundations are expected to kick in $100 million to $150 million and the remainder will come from federal and state grants.

The first of the projects begin this spring and the in-house team, announced today, will manage contracts and communications.

Nicole Westerman is the  Executive Director of Rebuild, tasked with coordinating with partner organizations and "ensuring the program is delivered with transparency and integrity," according to a release. Westerman formerly worked for the budget secretary for Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and at the School District of Philadelphia where she was Executive Director for Strategic Planning and Process Improvement. Westerman, who also works in public finance consulting, will be paid $143,000.

Mary E. Stitt, former procurement commissioner for the city, will be Deputy Director of Workforce Diversity & Inclusion for Rebuild. She will work to ensure contracts go to businesses owned by minority, women or disabled-owned businesses and to those with a track record of hiring a diverse workforce, particularly in the building trades. Stitt, who is also Assistant Director for Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives city-wide, will be paid $129,879.

Kira Strong is Deputy Director of Design and Construction, a role created to make sure facility improvements are safe, stay on schedule and don't go over-budget. Strong was the Vice President of Community and Economic Development at the People's Emergency Center, which worked on improvements in West Philadelphia neighborhoods. Strong's annual salary is $125,000.

Lastly, David Gould, is Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Communications, responsible for reaching out to and involving the many neighborhoods where Rebuild projects will spring up. Gould previously worked at the William Penn Foundation . He will be paid $115,000 a year.

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