Mayor appoints director of RISE

Mayor Nutter has named a new director for the office that handles services for ex-offenders. Here's the news release:

Mayor Michael A. Nutter has appointed William E. Hart as executive director of the Mayor's Office of Re-integration Services for Ex-offenders (RISE). In his position, Mr. Hart will be responsible for developing and managing strategy, implementation, and day-to-day operations of all services and activities at RISE.

"I am delighted to announce that Bill Hart will be joining the Administration as the new Executive Director of RISE. This critical office provides job skills training and education to people who very much want to enter the productive economy, and I have full confidence in Bill that he will lead an agency that offers a comprehensive system for ex-offenders to re-entry society," said Mayor Nutter. "I would also like to thank Deputy Mayor Gillison for his dedicated oversight, and Carolyn Harper for her work over the past few months at RISE."

Mr. Hart formerly served as Director of Community Employment at Temple University where he was responsible for the design and implementation of recruitment and professional development programs targeting residents surrounding the University and Health systems. Mr. Hart also served at Temple University as Assistant Director of Development for Athletics and Assistant Director for Alumni Affairs.

"I am privileged to join this Administration and especially RISE, an office with an innovative mission to increase public safety in Philadelphia by helping ex-offenders rebuild their lives. I look forward to working with partners in the private sector as well as in all levels of government to serve the citizens of Philadelphia," said William Hart.

Mr. Hart has a bachelors degree from Temple University and a fund-raising certificate from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Hart attended Central High School.

Click here for Philly.com's politics page.