Detroit's Duggan Appoints 2 To City Admin Roles

DETROIT, MI — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on Tuesday announced two additions to his administration, naming former State Treasurer Jay Rising as the city's Chief Financial Officer and hiring former Detroit Receiving Hospital CEO Dr. Iris Taylor as the Detroit Health Department's new nursing director.

Rising replaces Dave Massaron, who left for the state's budget director position. Taylor takes over a position in the city's health department that has been vacant since August 2019.

Duggan said Risin, who has worked under three governors in Michigan as well as a cabinet secretary for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, is the "most knowledgeable person in Michigan on federal and state funding and will be enormously valuable."

“We are fortunate to have someone of his experience and accomplishment join our team," Duggan said. "At the appropriate time, I plan to submit Jay to City Council for approval to become our permanent CFO.”

Rising was the Detroit Medical Center's CFO from 2006-16, helping to lead DMC back to profitability after it emerged from near bankruptcy and the near closure of several of its flagship hospitals in 2002, according to city officials.

Rising was one of Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s first appointees, serving as the State Treasurer from 2003-06 and overseeing the administration of Michigan’s financial systems during the state’s financial crisis.

The new Detroit CFO, who officially starts the new job on Monday, said he is excited about the new role.

"Under Mayor Duggan and his team's leadership, Detroit has made tremendous progress managing its finances in a responsible way to provide a greater level of service to residents and prepare for the uncertainties of the future," Rising said.

In Taylor, Duggan said the city was fortunate to have someone with immense experience.

“We are fortunate to have someone of her caliber, experience and deep level of community trust join our team," he said.

Taylor is retired from a CEO position with DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital and University Health Center, where she first began working in 1975 as a head staff nurse. She's had a variety of positions in the healthcare field, officials said, including two terms as President and as CEO of Detroit Receiving Hospital and University Health Center from 2005 to 2010 and 2012 to 2015.

“There is no better time in our City’s history than now to serve our community during this pandemic," said Taylor, who started the new job Monday. "I’ve spent my life’s work in public service and healthcare and I’m exited to join this hard-working team. It feels good to continue giving back to the city I love.”