January 1, 2014
By Stephanie West
New York, NY— Mayor-Elect Bill de Blasio announced five key appointments to his administration, pledging to continue building a progressive, diverse and effective government. De Blasio appointed Gilbert Taylor, the Executive Deputy Commissioner at the Administration for Children’s Services, as Commissioner of Homeless Services. Taylor will innovate new approaches to reduce New York City’s record-high homeless population.
Polly Trottenberg, current Under Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation, will serve as the Transportation Commissioner, executing Mayor-Elect de Blasio’s ambitious agenda to expand Bus Rapid Transit in the outer boroughs, reduce traffic fatalities, increase bicycling, and boost the efficiency of city streets.
Bob Linn, a life-long negotiator of labor contracts and arbitrator of labor disputes, will serve as the Director of Labor Relations and lead the Administration’s efforts to resolve outstanding labor contracts. He will be joined by Stanley Brezenoff, who will serve as an unpaid Special Adviser to the First Deputy Mayor.
Kyle Kimball, who has spearheaded transformative investments in emerging industries across the five boroughs, will continue to serve as the President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation and lead efforts to develop new career paths the lift New Yorkers into the middle class.
“From revamping our approach to homelessness, to ending the epidemic of traffic-related fatalities on our streets, the stakes for these agencies could not be higher. We sought progressive leaders with the depth and know-how to take on these challenges, and we have built a phenomenal team that is ready to take on a bold agenda,” said Mayor-Elect Bill de Blasio.
“More families and more children are going to sleep each night in our homeless shelters than ever before. It’s a crisis we will confront with every tool at our disposal. I share Mayor-Elect de Blasio’s fundamental commitment to more aggressive homelessness prevention policies and housing support to transition people from shelters to stable living. We will have a compassionate and effective approach that helps families in crisis,” said incoming Commissioner of Homeless Services Gilbert Taylor.
