Couch announces appointment of new Assistant to Mayor

(January 26, 2006) – City Manager Jim Couch has announced the appointment of David Holt as Assistant to the Mayor.

Holt graduated in 1997 from Putnam City North High School, where he was a National Merit Scholar, and earned his BA in political science from George Washington University in Washington, DC in 2001.

He serves as President of the Board of Directors of Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, is a member of the Oklahoma City Downtown Club, the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals and the State Chamber’s Congressional Activities Committee.

“We are living through an incredible era of progress for Oklahoma City, and I am thrilled to join the team at City Hall that has been making all of this happen,” Holt said. “As anyone who knows me knows, I love my hometown. I came back to Oklahoma City from Washington because I wanted to serve this city, and so I consider myself very fortunate to have this opportunity. I look forward to aiding the Mayor and the City Manager in whatever way I can.”

Holt comes to the City from the office of Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin, where he served as a Special Assistant. Prior to that he was the state coordinator for the Bush 2004 re-election campaign and an aide to Senator Jim Inhofe.

Holt served as a Special Assistant in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs from May, 2002 to May, 2004. Prior to that David served as an aide to U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

"David has worked for elected officials in some capacity ever since he graduated from college. This was a factor in my selection for two reasons. First this experience is a definite plus for the position of Assistant to the Mayor. Second, his hands-on experience working for members of our congressional delegation and other high ranking national and State government officials will be a major asset for our legislative program," Couch said.

Couch said the City's regular hiring process was used to fill the position and Holt was one of three applicants who made it to the interview stage. Under the City's Council/ Manager form of government, the City Manager oversees the hiring and firing of most City employees including the Assistant to the Mayor.

David and his wife, Rachel Canuso Holt, a native of Philadelphia, PA, live in the 38th Street Promenade section of Oklahoma City. Rachel is a law student at the University of Oklahoma.