Kenney names three more to his administration

As expected, Mayor-elect Jim Kenney announced Tuesday his right-hand woman throughout the campaign — Lauren Hitt—will serve as the city’s communication’s director, come January.

Hitt has been a strong spokeswoman for Kenney from the start of his bid for mayor.

She worked as press secretary for the Democratic nominee in the 2014 Ohio gubernatorial election and as deputy communications director on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s election campaign in New York City.

Kenney also announced two other additional appointments to his administration Tuesday. Jeff Guaracino will serve as President and CEO of Welcome America Inc., the nonprofit entity traditionally tasked with securing vendors and entertainment for Philadelphia’s Independence Day celebration. He’ll soon also be charged with expanding Welcome America Inc. to include other events throughout the year. Prior to this job, Guaracino worked at an Atlantic City nonprofit, and for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation before that, now known as Visit Philadelphia.

Stephanie Waters will serve as the city’s very first Digital Director of the Mayor’s Office, responsible for using technology to help reach many of Kenney’s 21st century constituents. Waters was responsible for much of Kenney’s social media and digital duties during the campaign. Prior to that, she did the same kind of work for two governors — in Massachusetts and New Jersey.