Meet the Rochester City Council Staff

Image	James Patrick Smith is the current Chief of Staff to Rochester City Council. He has served in City Government since 2015 in a number of roles prior to becoming Council Chief of Staff – including Deputy Mayor and Director of Communications. Most notably, Mr. Smith served as Mayor of Rochester, albeit briefly, which made him the City’s first LGBTQ+ chief executive. In addition to making history as Rochester’s Mayor and serving in city government, his public service also includes stints as the Deputy Monroe County Executive; Executive Director of the Monroe County Water Authority; and Seneca County Manager. In addition to government service, Smith has served on the Boards of the Greater Rochester Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and LifeSpan. He is a proud first generation American, as his mother was an emigrant from Ireland to America. Smith is a graduate of SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He is a lifelong resident of the Rochester Area and has called the Park Avenue Neighborhood home for more than a decade. James is an outdoor enthusiast — recently converting half of his grass lawn into a pollinator garden — and spends time kayaking, hiking, biking and snowshoeing at his nearby Finger Lakes cottage. He attends Blessed Sacrament Church on Oxford Street and enjoys walking to Mass.
James Patrick Smith, Chief of Staff
Image	Jenn Beideman is the Deputy Chief of Staff to Rochester City Council. Prior to joining the City of Rochester, she was the director of whole child advocacy at Common Ground Health, where she led their children’s health coalition advancing local and statewide policy change through community partnership, policy analysis, and strategic communications. Jenn is a proud immigrant from Canada and naturalized in 2018. Prior to making Rochester her home over a decade ago, she has held positions at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario providing support to Standing Committees of the House, World Vision Canada, and Elections Canada. Jenn holds a Masters in public administration from SUNY Brockport, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Toronto. Active in the community, Jenn continues to serve on boards and committees including: The Strong Museum of Play Playmakers, the Greater Rochester After School and Summer Alliance, the Network for Youth Success, and the International Play Association. Outside of City Hall you can find her playing with her toddler and husband at one of the city’s many parks and playgrounds, reading, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.
Jenn Beideman, Deputy Chief of Staff
Image	Aidan Pollard is the Communications Coordinator for Rochester City Council. He runs City Council social media, organizes press conferences for Councilmembers, handles media inquiries and promotes Council through press releases and other published media. Aidan grew up on Long Island, born to parents from Brooklyn and Dublin, Ireland. He graduated SUNY Fredonia with a degree in Journalism and a minor in English. Previously, he was a local news reporter on Martha’s Vineyard, MA and a reporter for Business Insider. Outside of City Hall, you can find him out for a run, playing bar trivia or walking his dog, Pennie.
Aidan Pollard, Communications Coordinator
Image	Adrienne Davis is a Legislative Assistant for the City Council Neighborhood and Business Development and the Recreation and Human Services Committees. A Native of Rochester, Adrienne has substantial experience in administration, program development, housing and education. She also holds international experience working to develop businesses in Ghana. Adrienne is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she earned a degree in Criminal Justice/Research Methods, and of Roberts Wesleyan University, where she earned a Masters of Theology. Adrienne is also a proud alumna of Flower City AmeriCorps. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new foods and volunteering with local organizations.
Adrienne Davis, Legislative Assistant
Image	Dassy Kemedjio is a Legislative Assistant for City Council with a focus on the Finance, Parks and Public Works and Public Safety Committees. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Citizenship and Civic Engagement, as well as a minor in French — which she speaks fluently. Dassy was born in Rochester to Cameroonian immigrant parents, and grew up in the Greater Rochester area. Outside the office, she enjoys travel, reading, curating playlists and spending time with loved ones.
Dassy Kemedjio, Legislative Assistant
Image	Jayde Lucas is a Legislative Assistant for City Council focusing on community engagement. In her role with Council, she leads public outreach, organizes events and works to bridge the gaps between City Councilmembers and the Rochester community. Jayde is a lifelong resident of the City of Rochester, and has dedicated her life to equitably improving the lives of Rochester residents. She has previously worked with the Town of Irondequoit ICARE Initiative, as a Legislative Aide for the Monroe County Legislature and as a staffer for two State Senators. Jayde graduated from SUNY Buffalo State with a Masters in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Minor in African American Studies — completing her education at an accelerated four-year pace and among the top in her class. Jayde is a loving mother to her young puppy, Marble.
Jayde Lucas, Legislative Assistant
Image	Kelly Muniz-Miles is the Executive Assistant to City Council, running day-to-day office operations and liaising with constituents. A fluent Spanish speaker, Kelly is crucial to City Council’s ability to remain accessible to the public and offer key accommodations like translation at monthly Speak to Council meetings. Kelly boasts a 19-year career with the City of Rochester, starting for 14 years in the Zoning Department, moving to the Communications Department and now continuing on with City Council. Kelly also serves on the City of Rochester Hispanic Heritage Committee. A native of Puerto Rico, Kelly’s family moved to New York in the 1970s, and she’s been in Rochester ever since.
Kelly Muniz-Miles, Executive Assistant