City representative duties given to Peterkin-Bell

Mayor Nutter on Thursday named Desiree Peterkin-Bell, his director of communications and strategic partnerships, to take over the duties of city representative.

Melanie Johnson, who has been city representative for the last five years, is moving into a position responsible for attracting major events, such as the Made in America festival and the Philadelphia Marathon.

City representative is a City Charter-based position responsible for promoting the city and representing the mayor.

Peterkin-Bell returned to the mayor's office last month after working for President Obama's campaign in Pennsylvania. - Troy Graham