👩🏽‍💻The Advoc8te could not be happier with this news, applauds Mayor Bowser on the change and wishes Ms. Garcia all the best! May this be the first step towards much-needed reform of the DC Office of Human Rights! The Advoc8te is hopeful that this leadership change signals a commitment to finally addressing the backlog of cases that have been languishing for years on OHR’s docket! #VictimsFirst

Mayor Bowser Announces Key Nominations 

Friday, January 24, 2020

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the following nominations for leadership positions in her Administration:

John Falcicchio, Acting Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
Mr. Falcicchio is nominated as the Acting Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED). Mr. Falcicchio serves as Mayor Bowser’s Chief of Staff, a role he has held since 2015, after serving as her Transition Director. As Chief of Staff, he has worked to put in place the people, policies, and processes to carry out the Mayor’s vision. He has previously served as a Senior Vice President of DKC, a New York based public relations firm; as a Regional Political Director for the Democratic National Committee during the re-election of President Obama; and as a long-time aide to former Mayor Adrian Fenty.

Daniel Lucas, Inspector General of the District of Columbia
Mr. Daniel W. Lucas is nominated for a new six-year term as the Inspector General for the District of Columbia. Serving since 2014, Inspector Lucas provides leadership at the Office of the Inspector General, including coordinating and recommending policies for activities designed to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness, and to prevent and detect corruption, fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in DC Government programs and operations.

Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia
Dr. Roger A. Mitchell is nominated for a new six-year term as Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia. Serving in this capacity since 2014, Dr. Mitchell is board-certified in Anatomic and Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology and a fellow with the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). He is uniquely positioned to understand the social determinants that lead to the violence affecting the District’s most vulnerable communities. Dr. Mitchell has performed over 1,500 autopsy examinations in his career and has testified as an expert on numerous cases.

Lauren Pair, District of Columbia Rent Administrator
Ms. Lauren Pair is nominated for a new three-year term as District of Columbia Rent Administrator. Serving in this capacity since 2017, Ms. Pair is an accomplished real estate and housing attorney and manager with extensive experience administering three regulatory housing programs. During her tenure, Ms. Pair has led implementations of customer-focused innovations — including working with the he Department of Housing and Community Development and the Office of the Tenant Advocate to coordinate, develop, and plan implementation of the rent control database.

In addition to these nominations, the Mayor announced that Ms. Michelle M. Garcia will now serve as the Interim Director of the Office of Human Rights (OHR), while continuing to lead the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG). In her role as the Director of OVSJG, Ms. Garcia provides leadership and coordination of District-funded programs that serve crime victims, prevent crime, and improve the administration of justice for victims and offenders. During her tenure, Director Garcia has provided policy making expertise, advice, and counsel on evidence-based practices.