Kevin White attracted young thinkers to City Hall, many of whom went on to influential careers.

Senator Barney Frank said he learned from White: “When you’re putting people in jobs, different jobs require different personal skills."

Peter S. Grogan, president of The Boston Foundation, learned from White: “Politics is important. You cannot move society forward without political skill.”

Micho Spring, president of Weber Shandwick, learned: “To take a gamble on people. To give them a big vision, the room to prove they have talent, and let them go.”

Frederick P. Salvucci, former state transportation secretary, learned: “If there is a conflict between your gut instinct of what the right thing to do is and your intellectual analysis, go with your gut.”

Peter Meade, Boston Redevelopment Authority director, learned: “Hire the most talented people you can find. Kevin’s goal was to hire people smarter than he.”

Bruce Bolling, former president of City Council, learned: “You can be a visionary, you can be a change agent, you can do what’s right for the city.”

George Regan, founder of Regan Communications Group, learned: “There are hands you have to hold and arms you have to twist.”