Bill Brett for The Boston Globe

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

Joe Dennehy

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

Bill Brett/Globe Staff

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

Bill Brett/Globe Staff

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.”

Janet Knott/Globe Staff

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.”

Pat Greenhouse/ Globe Staff

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.”

Bill Brett/Globe Staff

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.”

Bill Brett/Globe Staff

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