Mayor Ginther Names Robin Davis, Kathy Owens Deputy Chiefs of Staff
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther
today announced Robin Davis and Kathy Owens have joined his senior leadership
team in the office of the mayor. Davis will serve as deputy chief of staff for
communications and Owens will serve as deputy chief of staff for policy and
operations.
Davis has been serving as
director of media relations and spokesperson for Mayor Ginther since 2016 and
will now lead the mayor’s office communications team. Prior to joining the
mayor’s office, Davis was Editorial Director at Kenyon College, and an editor
and writer for The Columbus Dispatch, San Francisco Chronicle and
Bon Appetit. A graduate of the University of Dayton and Victorian
Village resident, Davis is a board member for Experience Columbus and the
Columbus Film Commission. She succeeds Kimber Perfect who announced her
retirement earlier this year.
“Robin has become an integral
part of our communications efforts, and I have come to rely on her as a member
of our senior leadership team,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “I am grateful
for her service, and look forward to her enhancing our communications efforts,
especially as we look forward lead Columbus to an equitable recovery
post-pandemic.”
Owens has been serving as a deputy director in the
Department of Finance and Management, and prior to that served in the City
Council Legislative Research Office (LRO). She also served as a Council aide,
staffed former City Attorney Janet Jackson and worked in the mayor’s office
during the Lashutka and Rinehart administrations. Kathy was born and raised in
Columbus and is a Linden McKinley graduate. She holds a degree in business
administration and a MBA from Ashland University.
“Kathy’s breadth of experience will allow her to effectively
manage operations for the mayor’s office, while also providing leadership and
guidance to the mayor’s policy team," said Ginther. “I will be leaning on Kathy
to work with our policy team and City departments to advance our Equity
Agenda.”
Davis and Owens join Kate
Pishotti who will serve as deputy chief of staff for external affairs. Pishotti
has been serving as the deputy chief of staff for internal operations, but will
take on a more public facing role with the departure of Dawn Tyler Lee. Ken
Paul will continue to serve as Chief of Staff.