Rob Ford names controversial policy director as new chief of staff

Mayor Rob Ford has promoted his controversial policy director to the role of his new chief of staff.

Ford announced on Wednesday that Mark Towhey would replace Amir Remtulla, who left city hall in July to work on the organizing committee of the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games.

“Mark has been a key leader on my team since the very beginning of my campaign in 2010,” Ford said in a statement.

“He is a trusted advisor and well-respected in my office.  He knows my objectives better than anyone and will help ensure we achieve them over the next two years.”

Towhey worked as management consultant in North America, Afghanistan and Pakistan before joining Ford’s mayoral campaign in 2010.

After the election, Towhey was appointed to the mayor’s transition team and then to the senior post of director of policy and strategic planning.

He clashed with other councillors during Ford’s unsuccessful bid to build a privately funded subway on Sheppard Avenue East.

“I’m looking forward to taking on this new role,” said Towhey, who starts on Monday.

“The mayor has an impressive list of accomplishments from his first 21 months in office.  However, there is still a great deal to be done over the next two years.  I look forward to working closely with Mayor Ford, his executive committee and city council to help them get that work done.”

Remtulla is the third high-profile member of Ford’s team to have left since the mayor took office in October 2010.  

Remtulla’s predecessor, Nick Kouvalis, resigned in February 2011 to work for a marketing research agency.

And Ford’s press secretary Adrienne Batra left in December 2011 to take a job with the Toronto Sun. Former Sun reporter and Toronto Police spokesman George Christopoulos took her place.

Acting chief of staff, Earl Provost, will continue on as director of stakeholder and council relations.

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