Chamber Salutes Regional Municipal Leaders Retiring or Leaving Office

Brenda Jones
Brenda Jones retires from Detroit City Council after two terms as City Council President. Ms. Jones was first elected in November 2005. In 2018, Ms. Jones was elected to complete John Conyers, Jr.’s term. Despite a brief five-week tenure, Congresswoman Jones voted 77 times and sponsored two pieces of legislation while representing Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.

During her tenure in public service, Council President Jones has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for the citizens of Detroit by working to reform and improve education and advocating for new jobs for the city. As of April 1, 2020, Council President Jones has successfully sponsored 9 ordinances and 40 resolutions. Her legislative efforts have positively impacted the quality of life for residents, public safety personnel, government employees, unions, and others.

Mayor John B. “Jack” O’Reilly, Jr.
After 32 years of public service and 14 years as Mayor of Dearborn, John B. O’Reilly is retiring. Mayor O’Reilly has been a leader in regional cooperation, particularly around Chamber priorities like transportation, support for small businesses, and economic development. Mayor O’Reilly has also been a strong leader for Dearborn, the seventh-largest city in the state, by preserving the city’s high quality of life and attractive residential areas.

During his administration, the John D. Dingell Train Station was constructed with federal grant dollars and added to the city’s reputation as a sought-after destination and a regional transportation hub. Mayor O’Reilly advanced initiatives that modernized the city and made it a magnet for culture. Significantly, it was O’Reilly who recruited Artspace to transform the historic City Hall building into an innovative space for artists to live and create, with plans for public exhibits and events, and with the goal of being an economic driver for the east downtown.

Mayor O’Reilly has a deep passion for Dearborn and the region, and he plans to continue to reside in the city after his retirement.

Janeé Ayers
Detroit City Council member Janeé Ayers term is up at the end of the year. In 2015, Ayers was appointed to Detroit City Council as an at large member and elected for the remainder of the term on November 8, 2016. She was reelected to City Council for a full four-year term on November 7, 2017.

Prior to her time on City Council Ayers became the youngest Vice President of the Detroit Metro AFL-CIO in 2013, elected by more than 24 union affiliates, including AFSCME Council 25, the city’s largest union.

Ayers is a leader of Detroit’s labor community who maintains a passion for working people, with a keen appreciation and understanding of Detroit’s business community.

Roy McCalister Jr.
First elected to Detroit City Council 2017, Roy McCalister Jr. is an experienced leader and community servant. He faithfully served the residents of Detroit for 24 years with the Detroit Police Department. He achieved the rank of lieutenant and is the former commanding officer of the Detroit Police Homicide Section. He also is a retired Chief Warrant Officer IV/Special Agent with the United States Army & Army Reserves, Criminal Investigative Division. Prior to his election to City Council, Member McCalister served as an investigator with Legal Aid, Federal Defender Office, for the Eastern District of Michigan, defending the constitutional rights of citizens. He was the only criminal investigator in Michigan certified by the Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council.

The Detroit Regional Chamber thanks these committed public servants for their leadership and wishes them the best in their next endeavors.