NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio filled key top posts Tuesday at the departments of finance, design and construction, and the office of contract services. The mayor also reappointed the president of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation.
“The roles that we’re talking about today, they don’t always make the front pages,” de Blasio said.
“But they are among the most crucial roles in city government in terms of actually making sure that services are efficiently and effectively provided to people.”
The mayor appointed Jacques Jiha as the commissioner of the Department of Finance. The Department of Finance collects nearly $30 billion in taxes for the city. Jiha is also tasked with running the treasury, property tax assessments, audits, and collections.
Feniosky Peña-Mora is the new commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction. The department designs buildings, roadways, sewers, and other infrastructure for the city.
De Blasio named Lisette Camillo to head the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services. Last year, the office oversaw more than 40,000 contracts worth over $16.5 billion.
David Ehrenberg will continue to be president and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. The navy yard is currently occupied by 330 businesses, which employ around 7,000 people.
Quick Facts on de Blasio’s New Appointments
Jacques Jiha
Commissioner, Department of Finance
Emigrated to Flatbush, Brooklyn from Haiti in 1979
Worked as a parking garage attendant while attending college
Went on to receive a doctorate in Economics
Held top posts in public and private sectors Moving to New York City from Nassau County for his post
Feniosky Peña-Mora
Commissioner, Department of Design and Construction
Moved to Washington Heights from the Dominican Republic in 1988
Mother worked on a factory line
Receive a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Went on to teach at Columbia University
Says he is a testament to the American dream
Lisette Camillo
Director, Mayor’s Office of Contract Services
Born and raised in Washington Heights
First in her family to go to college
Graduated from Columbia University went on to receive a law degree
Worked for a labor union before becoming a City Council staffer
Became the deputy general counsel at Mayor’s Office of Contract Services
David Ehrenberg
President and CEO, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation
Grew up in Brooklyn blocks away from de Blasio’s current home
Still lives in the same zip code: 11215
Graduated from Stuyvesant High School
Worked seven years at New York City Economic Development Corporation
Was a senior manager at NYCEDC on a project for new campus on Roosevelt Island
Friends Read Free