Not just the mayor, but John Szeder (of Mofactor) is also the Chamber of Commerce and Booster Club  for mobile development.  He is so connected, he is the Kevin Bacon of mobile entertainment. He has worked for and with the best companies in the industry: Mforma, Dchoc, Jamdat, In-Fusio, Superscape, and Thumbworks.   I have seen him introduce rival CEOs to one another.  Corporate recruiters call John to find out who is hiring and who is on the market. When rumors of layoffs circulate mobile devs and pubs, employees email John to see if they are on the pinkslip list.  His conference presentations (GDC, E3, CTIA, Austin, Digital Hollywood, etc) are mandatory attendence for the mobile technorati.  And at the industry parties, he holds court like the Don, granting (and occasionally calling in) favors. How does he do it?  He does it by being outgoing, hardworking, honest and nice.