Three New Staffers Join the City of Bloomington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2008 For more information, contact: Maria K. Heslin, Deputy Mayor, City of Bloomington, 349-3569 Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today the selection of three new City staffers. Mike Trexler has been named City Controller; Jared Schlemmer is Assistant Deputy Mayor; and Daniel Lopez is the City's new Communications Director. "We are very pleased to have these individuals be part of the City team," Kruzan said. "While Mike and Jared have been with us in different capacities and Danny is new to the community, each will bring a fresh perspective and a whole lot of talent and dedication to their new roles." Trexler, who has served as Budget and Research Analyst for the City of Bloomington Utilities Department since 2005, replaces Susan Clark as City Controller. Clark accepted a position at an accounting and financial advisory firm in Indianapolis to be closer to family. Trexler holds a Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in Public Financial Administration and Economic Development from Indiana University. The Controller serves as the City's Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for preparing and monitoring financial documents including the annual budget, finance statements, appropriation ordinances and tax forms and reports. "I'm excited to work with the good people in the Controller's Office and the administration," Trexler said, "and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a larger contribution to the community I have loved since the day I arrived here more than 10 years ago." New Assistant Deputy Mayor Schlemmer graduates from Indiana University Saturday with a B.A. in Journalism concentrating in Public Relations, with a second concentration in Business Marketing. The Mishawaka, Ind., native has served as a Communications intern for the past year in the Office of the Mayor. In his new role, Schlemmer will assist the Deputy Mayor in the development and implementation of the City's master strategic plan and the tracking of ongoing projects and issues across all City departments; will help research and track legislation at the Indiana General Assembly and legislation that comes before City Council; and will direct and implement constituent service operations for the Office of the Mayor. "I am very happy to be able to live and work full-time in Bloomington after four years here as a student," Schlemmer said. "I enjoyed a productive year at the City in a part-time capacity and I embrace the chance to further apply my skills and contribute to the mission of the organization full time. The City of Bloomington is a wonderful place to be." Communications Director Lopez comes to the City of Bloomington from Miami, Fla., where he served as Managing Partner of a consulting and public relations firm. His extensive experience in providing media services makes him ideal to handle communications for the City, and his background in multilingual press relations and marketing will add a new dimension to the position. He will be responsible for directing development and implementation of the City's communications strategy in line with the City's strategic plan and working with Department Heads to develop communications materials, including news releases, public service announcements, multimedia and educational campaigns. "This is an exciting opportunity for me," said Lopez of his new position. "I am eager to become part of the Bloomington community and am very much looking forward to the chance to work with such a committed group of individuals." All three begin their new posts the week of May 5. # # #