Can You Say "Deputy Chief of Staff, Matt Szabo"?? Mayor Villaraigosa says Yes

"Matt Szabo learns of his promotion"

Begging, pleading and getting verbally abused can be good for one's career.

In the case of now former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Press Secretary Matt Szabo, it means that his past exploits of civic begging, pleading civic poverty and playing the role of "John and Ken's "Little Buddy", have earned him a promotion to "Deputy Chief of Staff" as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa continues his second term reorganization of the Third Floor.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made the announcement this afternoon as noted in the Los Angeles Times.

Matt Szabo, senior press secretary to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, was elevated today to deputy chief of staff for the mayor and will act as his point man in crises.

Villaraigosa’s office said Szabo would be one of the mayor’s chief strategists and would report to the Rev. Jeff Carr, who was recently named chief of staff. One of Szabo’s first tasks will be to work with city leaders and labor unions to tackle the city’s worsening financial picture.

Szabo's crisis management skills were put to the test during the "non-permitted" AEG/Michael Jackson Memorial. Szabo pleading civic poverty, establish a "Pay Pal" site to accept donations from the public, which Mayor Villaraigosa panned as ridiculous upon his return from Africa.

Szabo was also the point person in stonewalling requests regarding the public cost of Mayor Villaraigosa's trips to Africa and Iceland. His work in deflecting queries about Villaraigosa's travels no doubt influences these remarks form his boss.

In a statement, Villaraigosa said Szabo “always performed best when crisis called for tough, decisive action. As these challenging times require tough, decisive leadership, Matt will serve as a voice of my administration throughout the corridors of City Hall,” the mayor said.

Your thoughts................