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Williams appointed to a new position
YOUNGSTOWN
Former Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams has a new job in the president’s administration, serving as the deputy director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
In his new job, Williams will “lead our local engagement with mayors, county and municipal officials across the country,” wrote David Agnew, the office’s director and a deputy assistant to the president on the agency’s website.
Williams is replacing Agnew, who served as deputy director under Democratic President Barack Obama starting in January 2009, when Obama took office. Four months ago, the president promoted Agnew to his current job.
The office oversees the president’s relationship with states, county, local and Native American tribal entities.
Williams’ unit specifically works with elected officials from cities, towns and counties.
“I know he will bring an exceptional set of skills, honed through his work at the community level, to our work with America’s local governments,” Agnew said of Williams.
Williams, Youngstown’s mayor from Jan. 1, 2006, to Aug. 1, 2011, couldn’t be reached Monday by The Vindicator to comment.
Charles Sammarone, who succeeded Williams as mayor, said the new job “could put him in a position to help Youngstown. You never forget where you came from. I’m glad to hear it. Jay’s a hard worker.”
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, congratulated Williams on getting the White House job.
The congressman added, “I know that he will be a friend to Youngstown and the entire Mahoning Valley,” and the area “can count on the former mayor to make sure our voice is heard.”
Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras said the promotion “obviously shows that Jay is very talented and the administration recognizes that. It’s also another acknowledgement that the Valley is important to the president. [Appointing Williams] was a really good choice for the president.”
Williams resigned as mayor to become executive director of the Office of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers, also referred to as the auto czar.
In that position, he worked with state and local officials in areas affected by the auto industry, particularly those devastated by plant closings, to receive federal support.
“By all accounts, Jay’s work with mayors in this important post was exemplary,” Agnew wrote.
Agnew wrote that he worked with Williams when the latter served as Youngstown’s mayor.
The Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers will continue operating, but it isn’t known when Williams’ previous job will be filled, according to the White House. The office’s executive director position was vacant for 14 months before the president hired Williams for the job.