Chicago Mayor Richard Daley tapped his chief of staff, Ron Huberman, as the new president of the Chicago Transit Authority ( CTA ) following the resignation of Frank Kruesi, who had helmed the agency for a decade. Both developments were announced April 19.
In an analysis, The Chicago Sun-Times stated that Huberman, 35, who has practically no transit experience, has a huge job revamping the CTA. However, the article added that sterling reputation for efficiency should help make inroads with some state lawmakers in order to secure funds.
Huberman has a history of helping the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities. Not only does he serve on Chicago House's board of trustees, but he has supported events such as AIDS Foundation of Chicago's World of Chocolate.
Huberman has rapidly ascended the ladder of success, making the transition from a street officer for the Chicago Police Department in the mid-1990s to heading Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications in 2004. Daley made him his chief of staff the following year.
On April 23, Daley named his planning commissioner, Lori Healey, as Huberman's successor.