By Khalida Sarwari
President Obama today announced the nomination of Rosa “Rosie” Gumataotao Rios, a former Oakland official, for the position of U.S. treasurer.
The treasurer advises the treasury secretary and deputy secretary on matters relating to coinage, currency and the production of other instruments issued by the United States.
Rios was in charge of attracting new development to the city in her role as the director of the Redevelopment and Economic Development for Oakland, but was fired in 2003 after two years of service by then Mayor Jerry Brown.
Councilman Larry Reid, who had criticized Brown for his decision, called her nomination “incredible.”
“I think it’s awesome,” Reid said in a telephone interview today. “I’ve known Rosie now for 15 years. I know her to be a very capable person and this nomination says that other folks recognize her ability. I know she will serve the country well in her new capacity.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee released a statement in which she praised Rios’ “wealth of knowledge and expertise to this position.”
“While working for the city of Oakland she led the efforts to facilitate development and business opportunities within Oakland and revitalize the city’s downtown and neighborhood corridors,” Lee said.