Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced the appointment of Lydia Hernandez Velez as the Deputy Managing Director for Aging and Otis L. Bullock, Jr. as the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Service (MOCS).

“Lydia is someone who will help redefine what it means to age well in Philadelphia. In this new role, she will help City agencies rethink how they approach issues that seniors face—everything from public safety and mobility to housing and health care,” said Mayor Nutter. “She will also help me champion Philadelphia as a vibrant and dynamic city that is ideal for baby boomers entering the so-called third stage of their lives.”

In her new role, Ms. Hernandez Velez will be responsible for creating and communicating a strategic plan that responds to the changing needs of seniors over the next ten years. Working as the liaison between the workforce program and the Administration, she will articulate the city’s priorities around aging, coordinate across city departments, serve as a convening body for discussions across sectors, and simplify how seniors can access services.

“I’m privileged that the Mayor has chosen me for the position as Deputy Managing director for Aging,” said Ms. Hernandez Velez, “As the senior population grows in Philadelphia and the needs of senior citizens becomes more diverse, I will use new approaches to respond quickly to their issues and concerns.”

Prior to her position with the City, Ms. Hernandez Velez worked with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). As Executive Director of the Eastern Pennsylvania LLS, Ms. Hernandez Velez was responsible for the management of all programs and campaigns and implementing a strategy for legislation to ensure coverage of patients who participated in clinical trials. Previously, she worked at the Department of Banking for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where she oversaw Consumer Fraud issues. Ms. Velez holds a Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University’s School of Law and a B.A. from Columbia University.

As the Executive Director of MOCS, Mr. Bullock will be responsible for managing approximately $7 million of state and federal grant funds, supervising contract provision and program monitoring for agency-led and agency-funded initiatives, and developing and implementing work plans for grants awarded. He will have responsibility for establishing metrics for success and assessing current data information systems that track programming services. Mr. Bullock previously served as Deputy Executive Director of MOCS.

“Otis has a complete and in-depth understanding of MOCS and the ways it can improve services efficiently and effectively to Philadelphia residents going forward,” said Mayor Nutter. “His invaluable experience in Philadelphia’s communities makes him a great asset to this office.”

Mr. Bullock said that he is honored at being selected for the position, “I am looking forward to using my background knowledge to implement the Mayor’s vision for moving people out of poverty and connecting them to resources and services to achieve a fulfilling life.”

Prior to joining the Administration, Mr. Bullock worked as Outreach Director during the Nutter for Mayor campaign and as founder of the Law Offices of Otis L. Bullock, which specialized in criminal law, family law, and land use issues helping small businesses navigate city government concerns. Mr. Bullock holds a Juris Doctorate from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from Westchester University.

Original Article: Mayor’s Press Releases, City of Philadelphia