Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin on Monday announced some of the primary leaders of his executive team for the upcoming term, which starts Nov. 25.

“Each of these leaders brings exceptional expertise and a deep dedication to Birmingham’s future,” Woodfin, recently reelected to a third term, was quoted as saying in a release. “Their work will strengthen our city’s foundation — economically, operationally, and in the daily lives of our residents.”

Chief of Staff Cedric Sparks and Chief Strategist and Senior Adviser Ed Fields will remain in their current positions.

Melissa E. Smiley, currently chief accountability officer, will take the position of chief economic and community development officer.

The mayor’s current chief of operations, Chaz Mitchell, will take on the dual roles of chief financial officer as well as commissioner of sports and entertainment.

The mayor also announced three new leadership roles: James Fowler as chief of public infrastructure, Sylvia Bowen as deputy chief of administrative services and Carlton Peeples as deputy chief of public safety.

Fowler currently serves as director of the city’s Department of Transportation. Since taking the position in 2018, Fowler has advanced walkability, transit access and mobility initiatives citywide, according to city officials.

Bowen has been an executive administrator at the city since 2017. A graduate of Tuskegee University and Johnson & Wales University, where she earned her MBA, she is on track to earn her doctorate of business administration from the University of North Alabama in December, according to city staff.

The mayor’s news release states that Peeples brings 27 years of federal law enforcement experience, most recently having served as special agent in charge of the FBI’s Birmingham Division. A U.S. Army veteran and University of Louisville graduate, Peeples has led major operational and risk management programs across multiple FBI field offices nationwide.

According to the release, Smiley has served the city for more than 15 years, mostly in the Office of the City Attorney, including as chief assistant city attorney. She joined the Mayor’s Office in 2021 as chief accountability officer. City leaders said Smiley’s legal and development expertise has supported major Birmingham projects, including Protective Stadium, The World Games and the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument designation. She is a graduate of Howard University and Tulane School of Law.

Sparks, a Birmingham native, has worked in city government since 1998 and has been the mayor’s chief of staff since 2017. He previously served as executive director of the mayor’s office Division of Youth Services. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and Miles Law School.

Fields oversees strategic planning, partnerships and communications for the Mayor’s Office. He has served as chief strategist and senior adviser since 2017. Fields is a graduate of Alabama State University and the University of Alabama’s Manderson School of Business and has held leadership roles with the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and Alabama Media Group.

The mayor’s staff said additional appointments will be announced in the coming days.

City Council Appoints Committees

The announcement of Woodfin’s leadership team comes as the City Council on Tuesday made committee assignments for the new term. The committee members are:

Budget and Finance: Clinton P. Woods, chair; Wardine T. Alexander; and Crystal N. Smitherman.

Community Development/Arts and Culture: Sonja Smith and Brian Gunn, co-chairs; Crystal N. Smitherman; and Wardine T. Alexander.

Economic and Workforce Development/Tourism: Hunter Williams, chair; Brian Gunn; and Sonja Q. Smith.

Planning and Zoning: Darrell O’Quinn and Josh Vasa, co-chairs: LaTonya A. Tate; and Clinton P. Woods.

Public Safety: LaTonya A. Tate, chair; Josh Vasa; and Hunter Williams.

Transportation and Infrastructure: Darrell O’Quinn, chair; Sonja Q. Smith; and LaTonya A. Tate.