Fischer Names Economic Development, Policy Chiefs

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer has filled two top positions in his new administration. Fischer has named an interim chief of economic development and a director of policy.Margaret Handmaker most recently worked with the Downtown Development Corporation. She will lead the city's economic development department for six months, or until a permanent director has been found. Handmaker is working on what Fischer calls a "holistic review" of the economic development department and the city's relationship with Greater Louisville Inc. Louisville has lost thousands of jobs in the last decade, but Handmaker says that's not likely due to inaction on the city's part. "I think that's more of an economic issue than a Louisville issue and we'll do everything we can to support them non-financially and, if possible, financially," she says.Fischer's new director of policy is Tony Peyton, who has worked as a director of policy for the National Center for Family Literacy.