Copyright 2004 Chattanooga Publishing Company  
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)

October 8, 2004 Friday

David Eichenthal to leave city finance post

By Duane W. Gang; Staff Writer

SECTION: LOCAL NEWS; Pg. B3

David Eichenthal, Chattanooga's finance officer and director of its Office of Performance Review, is stepping down to take the reins of the nonprofit Community Research Council.

Mr. Eichenthal will become the organization's president and CEO beginning Jan. 1, the research council announced Thursday.

"The selection of Mr. Eichenthal moves the CRC in the direction of being the region's premier source of nonpartisan policy research and data analysis for government, foundations, nonprofit organizations and the community," said Tom Griscom, chairman of the group's board of directors.

Mr. Gris-com also is publisher and executive editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Mr. Eichenthal, a former New York City government official, joined the city in 2002 to lead the new Office of Performance Review. He became finance officer in February 2003.

Mr. Eichenthal, who worked to develop the city's 311 call center, also is chairman of Chattanooga's $180 million general pension board and the Regional Interagency Council on the Homeless. He also is president of the Chattanooga Downtown Redevelopment Corp.

"I look forward to bringing to the CRC the same focus on data to identify and help solve problems that we have used in Chattanooga city government," Mr. Eichenthal said in a statement. "CRC will draw on the best ideas nationally as well as highlight Chattanooga's role as a model for other midsize cities."

Mr. Eichenthal will replace Tim Andrews as head of the research group.

At the request of Mayor Bob Corker, Mr. Eichenthal will continue to serve as finance officer until March but will not be paid by the city. In addition, city officials said the research council will not receive any additional funding from the city during that time.

Mr. Corker, who is not seeking a second term, will leave office in April.

Mr. Eichenthal received a degree in public policy from the University of Chicago and a law degree from New York University. He formerly was the chief of staff for Mark Green, the New York City public advocate.

Mr. Eichenthal and his wife, Bea Lurie, and their two children live in Fort Wood.

The research council was founded in the 1960s and formerly was known as the Metropolitan Council for Community Services. The city and the United Way of Greater Chattanooga are among the group's funding sources.

E-mail Duane W. Gang at dgang@timesfreepress.com