L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa taps former equity firm CEO to be deputy mayor

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has turned to the former head of an equity firm to spearhead the mayor's renewed job creation effort and push to make the city a more attractive, less bureaucratic locale for business.

Austin Beutner, founder of the boutique private equity firm Evercore Partners and former partner at the Blackstone Group, will serve as Villaraigosa's deputy mayor of economic development and oversee the Port of Los Angeles and the Department of Water and Power, two major economic catalysts for Los Angeles. He will also oversee economic development initiatives at Los Angeles World Airports.

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--Phil Willon

Comments

[Susan Locust]

I'm sure Austin Beutner is a very fine person. But he comes from the world of private equity firms whose sole purpose are to suck money out of a company. I fail to see how that benefits the city of Los Angeles.

Did it even cross anyone's minds at City Hall that the average citizen has had it up to here - - - with private equity firms and their dealings? They've driven good solid American businesses and the stable well-paying jobs they provided into the ground. I fail to see how ANYONE from private equity has ANYTHING of substance to offer other than yet another way to LOOT the taxpayer.

Apologies to Mr. Beutner, but his background just makes him a very poor choice.

[how many]

How many deputy mayors does this mayor need to run the city?

[me]

I guess, Mayor Toothy needs as many as he can get, 'cuz he's never in the office.

[Ridiculous]

Sounds like a newly found link into new pocket books for a Senate bid in 2012.

[JJ]

Dude is taking one buck a year for a salary. Maybe the mayor should reconsider his salary.