The exodus of outgoing Mayor Anthony Williams’ top staff is accelerating.
Kate Jesberg, director of the Department of Human Services, announced Thursday that she would retire effective Sept. 30. City Administrator Robert Bobb, a candidate for D.C. Board of Education president, was expected to step down either Thursday or today. And Herbert Tillery, deputy mayor for operations, has announced he will leave as of Oct. 20.
“Time to go,” Tillery said Thursday, “[I’m] looking at some other offers.”
Williams will be replaced come Jan. 2 by a new chief executive, likely Ward 4 Council Member Adrian Fenty, the Democratic nominee.
The mayor has seen multiple key aides leave since announcing last year he would not to seek a third term, including his chief legislative liaison and Department of Transportation Director Dan Tangherlini, who reportedly is under consideration to be Fenty’s city administrator.
Williams’ plans for the future remain a mystery.
Jesberg was named interim human services director March 1, a decision praised by Fenty, chairman of the human services committee and a harsh critic of the administration’s choices to lead that department. She will be replaced Oct. 2 by Brian Wilbon, chief of staff in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders.
“Mayor Williams and I thank Kate Jesberg for her many years of excellent service,” Deputy Mayor Brenda Donald Walker said in a statement. “She has been a credit to social services in the District of Columbia.”
As for Bobb, Williams said he has a replacement in mind but declined to elaborate.
