Ask the Expert Breakfast
Philadelphia...At Your Service

Representatives from the City of Philadelphia will be available to answer your questions

Moderator
Dan McElhatton, Esq. is an attorney with the firm McElhatton Foley, PC.  Mr. McElhatton served as a Philadelphia City Council member from 1992 to 1996.  He is also a longtime member of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce (among many organizations) and most recently served as Chair of the group during a hectic period that included the sudden retirements of both the former Chair and former President.  His representations of Civil Rights matters are an area of deep experience, as Mr. McElhatton represented the first person from Northern Ireland in an international extradition request and secured political asylum for that client.
 
Panelists
Brian Abernathy, First Deputy Managing Director
Brian Abernathy was appointed First Deputy Managing Director in January 2016.  In this role, Abernathy oversees the operating departments and their day-to-day functions, focusing specifically on public safety.  He was charged with preparations for the Democratic National Convention and the upcoming NFL Draft as well as oversees several initiatives including the Rebuilding Civic Infrastructure project, a $500 million investment in our parks, libraries and recreation centers and the Shared Public Spaces working group, which looks at homelessness and public behavior.  Prior to his appointment, Abernathy was the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, where he was responsible for the Gallery Mall development, the completion of the Eastwick Urban Renewal Area, the close-out of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative and dozens of neighborhood development and affordable housing projects.  Mr. Abernathy has served in various other roles in government, including Chief of Staff to the Managing Director and an aid to Councilman Frank DiCicco. 
In 2014, Mr. Abernathy was named one of the Urban Land Institute’s 40 Under 40. 
Mr. Abernathy graduated from Coker College in Hartsville, SC with a degree in Political Science and Theatre. 
 
Trevor Day, Procurement Commissioner
Trevor Day is a government strategist who is leading the City of Philadelphia through its Procurement modernization efforts.  As the Commissioner of Procurement, it has been his mission to engage stakeholders, seek internal and external feedback, prioritize improvements and implement projects that lead to more efficiency and transparency in contracting. 
Over the last several years, Trevor has initiated and successfully led multiple procurement initiatives. Programs such as reverse auction, cooperative contracting and strategic sourcing in total are responsible for millions of dollars of savings in diverse spend categories.  Trevor rebranded the eProcurement website PHLContracts, making vendor registration, electronic bidding and payments available on line. Recently, he helped to usher through the City’s first Best Value initiative.  He has dedicated his career to focusing on projects that support the local economy, increase process improvement and foster transparency. 
His accomplishments as a leader and procurement professional are well recognized in media coverage across the country, including Forbes, GovTech, Al Dia and the Philadelphia Business Journal. In addition to his PR coverage, he has spoken at national and local conferences regarding his journey to improve government contracting.
Trevor holds a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Urban Economic Development from Eastern University and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Economics from Bates College.
 
David Dorman, Deputy Revenue Commissioner
Dave Dorman was appointed Deputy Revenue Commissioner in 2015. Currently he is responsible for the Department’s tax programs, including the processing of all returns and payments, ensuring compliance of our tax laws, and servicing taxpayer requests for assistance.
Mr. Dorman has worked in the area of tax compliance for the City for over 30 years, and has been involved in information-sharing between both the Internal Revenue Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. As Compliance Director, Mr. Dorman was responsible for all of Philadelphia’s compliance programs for both business and personal taxes.
Mr. Dorman graduated from LaSalle University in 1982 with a Bachelor’s Degree in business and a major in accounting and is also a member of the Buxmont Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Tax and Accounting Professionals.
 
John Horvay, Community Life Improvement Programs [CLIP]
• John Hornay was born and raised in the Tacony section of Northeast Philadelphia.
• Currently resides in the Modena Park/Chalfont area
• Graduated from North Catholic and attended Temple University for 2-3 years
• Since then I’ve worked for the City for 13 years come this May
• My current title is Director of Administration and Management, and I am responsible for overseeing the entire EXPO operations from start to finish.
• EXPO is one of the 5 units under CLIP’s umbrella (Community Service Program, Community Partnership Program, Anti-Graffiti, Vacant Lot Program, and EXPO- Exterior Property Maintenance Program.