Brett H. Mandel

Biography

Brett Mandel is running for City Controller in Philadelphia, highlighting the importance of electing an independent and knowledgeable individual as the city’s elected auditor and financial watchdog.  In his campaign, Brett stresses the need to audit each City government agency annually to ensure our tax dollars are spent effectively; root out fraud, waste, and corruption in government to preserve City services; and establish a transparent budget by posting every City payment online.

Brett served as the Executive Director of Philadelphia Forward, a citizens' organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement to make Philadelphia a vibrant city that is a preferred place to live, work, and visit. The work of Philadelphia Forward’s won national awards and much local attention. Philadelphia Forward successfully advocated for policy changes to improve tax fairness, legislation to reduce wage and business taxes, and Charter change to enact ethics reforms.  But, most important, Philadelphia Forward changed the way people think about how they can be involved in the civic life of this city.  Walt from Mayfair wrote: 

“I have lived in Philadelphia all my life, but I never felt I had the ability to make a difference, until now. Your organization has shown me that even the smallest candle can burn bright in the dark.”

Previously, Brett served as Director, Financial and Policy Analysis, in the City of Philadelphia Office of the Controller where he managed the efforts of the Financial and Policy Analysis Unit and oversaw consideration of a wide variety of issue areas relating to municipal governance, budgetary policy, and city government operations. In 2003, Brett served as a member of the voter-established Tax Reform Commission. Brett also served as Assistant Policy Director of the Philadelphia Independent Charter Commission, analyzing reforms for the only post-1951 Commission empowered to place propositions on the ballot for voter approval. Brett received his B.A. from Hamilton College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude, and his M.G.A. from the Fels Center of Government of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Brett is the author of Is This Heaven? The Magic of the Field of Dreams (Rowman & Littlefield, 2002) a book that brings readers along on the continuing pilgrimage to the Field of Dreams Movie Site where life imitates art and everyday people find redemption and reconciliation in an Iowa cornfield.  He is also the primary author of the City Controller’s Office book, Philadelphia: A New Urban Direction (Saint Joseph's University Press, 1999), a vision of Philadelphia's likely future without change and a comprehensive plan designed to make Philadelphia a preferred place to live, work, and visit.  The book received the National Association of Local Government Auditors Special Project Award for 1999.  Another book, Minor Players, Major Dreams, (University of Nebraska Press, 1997) was written from Brett’s perspective as an author, signed to a minor league baseball player’s contract, to tell the inside story of minor league life.

In 2006, Brett was selected as one of the Philadelphia region’s top 101 “connectors” by the LEADERSHIP Philadelphia Connector Project, and one of the Philadelphia Business Journal “40 Under 40.” In 2008, Brett was named one of the Philadelphia region’s top 101 “next generation connectors” by LEADERSHIP Philadelphia.

Brett is a product of the Philadelphia public schools (Northeast High School), an active weekend athlete, and a passionate sports fan. A lifelong Philadelphia resident, Brett serves as Commissioner of the Greater Philadelphia Men’s Adult Baseball League, is a Board Member (Finance Chair) for the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, and is active in numerous community organizations.  Brett formerly served as the Vice President of the Center City Residents Association and, as an active writer, Brett was a member of the National Writers Union.  Brett lives in the Fitler Square neighborhood of Philadelphia with his wife, Laura Weinbaum, and three children. 

Is This Heaven?  The Magic of the Field of Dreams * Minor Players, Major Dreams

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Contact Brett at brett@libertynet.org