NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mayor-elect Megan Barry announced her first major appointment to her administration Monday.
She has made Rich Riebeling her new Chief Operating Officer. He was appointed to his current position as Metro Finance Director by Mayor Karl Dean in 2007.
The new position was created specifically for Riebeling in the new administration. He will be in charge of overseeing Metro Departments and Agencies to ensure they are being run as efficiently and effectively for taxpayers as possible.
“Rich Riebeling has an unparalleled understanding of how our Metro government works – how it doesn’t – and knows where we can improve service and accountability for Nashville’s taxpayers,” said Barry. “I believe Rich is the right person to help implement the policies and goals of my administration as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
During the Dean administration, Riebeling ensured that Metro’s budgets were balanced while working with Mayor Dean and the Metro Council to invest in Nashville’s future. Prior to his appointment to Finance Director, his professional career included public finance investment banking, private legal practice, and newspaper reporting.
In addition, he had two prior public service assignments, serving as an aide to former Nashville Mayor Richard Fulton and as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development under former Governor Ned McWherter.
“It has been my great pleasure to serve Mayor Dean and the people of Nashville as Finance Director, and I look forward to continuing that service with Mayor Megan Barry,” said Riebeling. “Mayor-elect Barry and I have worked closely together to help grow our economy and improve the quality of life in Nashville while she served on the Metro Council and I look forward to continuing that great working relationship in her administration.”
Riebeling will assume the role of COO following Barry’s inauguration on Friday, September 25 at 2PM. Talia Lomax-O’dneal, currently serving as Deputy Finance Director, will serve as Acting Finance Director following Barry’s inauguration and through the transition.
