Mayor-elect Karen Bass names LA28 Olympic executive as chief of staff
LA mayor-elect Karen Bass names her chief of staff, Chris Thompson, currently a VP for the 2028 Olympics in LA.
Mayor-elect Karen Bass has named Chris Thompson, the senior vice president of government relations for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as her chief of staff and the person to help guide her transition as she prepares to take office, the mayor-elect announced Tuesday, Nov. 29.
Thompson will begin his new role on Monday, a week before Bass will start her term as mayor of the nation’s second-most populous city.
“My number one priority is assembling a team that will be ready on day one to move our city forward. With his vast leadership experience and shared vision for our city, Chris is the right person to serve as my chief of staff and work with me to lead our agenda for Los Angeles’ future,” Bass said in a statement. “Though this is an unprecedented three-week transition, make no mistake – change is coming and we will hit the ground running.”
Thompson serves on numerous boards including his appointment to the board of the California Privacy Protection Agency by Gov. Gavin Newsom, and serves on the boards of the PBS SoCal/Public Media Group of Southern California and the California Science Center Foundation, and on the Public Policy Institute of California’s Statewide Leadership Council.
The mayoral race between Bass and developer Rick Caruso was not called until Nov. 16, eight days after the general election, leaving the congresswoman with just three-and-a-half weeks to assemble a transition team and prepare for her new role before her term begins.
In a news release, Bass’ campaign said the mayor-elect is assembling a team focused on bringing unhoused individuals indoors and making L.A. safer and more affordable.
Bass had previously pledged to declare a state of emergency to address the city’s out-of-control homelessness crisis her first day on the job.
Thompson, who has worked in both the public and private sectors, said in the release he looks forward to helping Bass execute her vision.
“The people of this city spoke loud and clear when they delivered a decisive victory for Mayor-elect Bass,” Thompson stated. “She has laid out a clear vision and plan to confront the crisis of homelessness and to make our city safer and more affordable for all.”
Thompson was U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s chief of staff from 2008 to 2013, after first working in her office in 2003. He was also an aide to Rep. Julian C. Dixon, who represented parts of Los Angeles.
Thompson has also served as a vice president for Southern California Edison/Edison International and on the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce board.