Mayor-Elect Helena Moreno Announces Chief Administrative Officer Search Committee
NEW ORLEANS (Oct. 16, 2025) — Mayor-Elect Helena Moreno today announced the formation of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Search Committee, to be co-chaired by State Senator Jimmy Harris and Aimee Quirk, two leaders with extensive experience in government, business, and community engagement.
“Strong leadership in this position is essential to achieving the operational excellence that will define my administration,” said Mayor-Elect Helena Moreno. “The Chief Administrative Officer will be my partner in ensuring City Hall delivers outstanding services to every resident. I want someone tough, experienced, and respected- a leader who can help drive accountability and results. I’m grateful to Senator Harris and Aimee Quirk for leading this vital search.”
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of effective and efficient city services and infrastructure improvements to the people of New Orleans, and for serving as a strong fiscal steward of taxpayer dollars and delivering a balanced budget. As the city’s chief administrative and operating officer, the CAO leads day-to-day operations across city departments, drives accountability and performance management, and ensures that government is responsive, transparent, and results oriented. This role is central to fulfilling the Mayor’s vision for the priorities of public safety, economic growth, efficient city services, affordability, quality of life, and transparent and accountable governance.
“Mayor-Elect Moreno has made it clear that her administration will reflect the full diversity and strength of New Orleans,” said Cedric Richmond, New Direction New Orleans Co-Chair, who is overseeing the CAO Search Committee. “This is about finding a leader who can help transform how City Hall serves every resident, in every community.”
The committee will lead a comprehensive search for the most qualified candidate, leveraging both local expertise and connections as well as national networks. Ideal candidates will bring strong management experience and a deep understanding of New Orleans’ and Louisiana’s civic, cultural, and governmental landscape.
CAO Co-Chair State Senator Harris said, “We’re looking for a proven leader with deep experience managing complex organizations… someone who understands budgets, infrastructure, and people, and who can build trust across city departments and with residents alike. The CAO will ensure the City is responsive and delivers Super Bowl-level services to every neighborhood every day. This position demands not only technical expertise but also an appreciation for the unique challenges and opportunities of our city.”
CAO Co-Chair Quirk said, “We are committed to conducting a rigorous and inclusive process to identify the best person for this vital role. Starting today, the position is posted on NewDirectionNOLA.com and it will soon be on national and local job boards. We’ll be engaging in targeted outreach and applying best practices in screening and interviews to ensure a strong and diverse pool of candidates. Throughout the process, we’ll collaborate with community stakeholders and promote transparency while maintaining the confidentiality necessary to attract top-tier talent. Our goal is to present Mayor-Elect Moreno with outstanding finalists ready to serve the people of New Orleans on day one.”
Moreno’s transition builds on the momentum of her citywide movement, which centered on creating a city government that works with urgency, coordination, and accountability. In the days ahead, she will announce a variety of transition committees focused on key priorities such as economic development and public safety. Reflecting the coordination she plans to bring to City Hall departments, these committees will work closely together to identify top talent, develop actionable policies, and engage residents across the city to help shape solutions.
CAO Search Committee Co-Chairs
Louisiana State Senator James “Jimmy” Harris III represents Senate District 4 and serves as Chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. A graduate of St. Augustine High School, Morehouse College, and the Southern University Law Center, Senator Harris has held senior-level roles at the federal, state, and municipal levels, including Director of State Relations for the City of New Orleans and Director of Special Projects for Congressman Cedric Richmond. He currently serves on several key Senate committees, including Finance and Judiciary A, and remains deeply engaged in civic life through organizations such as the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Aimee Quirk is Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Development Officer at Ochsner Health and CEO of Ochsner Ventures, where she leads growth initiatives reshaping the future of healthcare through strategic partnerships, investments, and innovation. A former Senior Advisor for Economic Development for the City of New Orleans, Quirk has played a leading role in attracting private investment and creating permanent jobs in the city. She began her career in law, serving as a judicial clerk and later a partner at Jones Walker. Quirk holds degrees from Louisiana State University and Tulane University School of Law and currently serves on the boards of GNO, Inc., The Idea Village, Business First Bancshares, and Obatala Sciences, Inc.
The CAO job description and application form is available at https://www.newdirectionnola.com/cao.
About New Direction New Orleans
New Direction New Orleans is the official transition initiative of Mayor-Elect Helena Moreno. The effort is focused on building an administration that delivers efficient, transparent, and accountable city government for every resident. Through public engagement, policy development, and recruitment of top talent, New Direction New Orleans is laying the groundwork for an administration committed to creating a city that works — one that’s safer, more affordable, and full of opportunity for all. Learn more at NewDirectionNOLA.com.