NEWYORK: Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani appointed Anthony Shorris as President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).
Shorris brings more than 40 years of experience leading many of the largest public sector and non-profit organizations in the country, having managed multibillion-dollar budgets, tens of thousands of employees and the strategic direction of city and state agencies across government, transportation, housing, healthcare and education.
Shorris takes the helm of NYCEDC as the Mamdani administration works to make New York more affordable and to ensure that economic development reaches the working people who keep the city running. Under Shorris’ leadership, NYCEDC will use city-owned land, financing and investment to build affordable housing, create good jobs, support small businesses and deliver public goods in every borough.
As First Deputy Mayor under Mayor Bill de Blasio, Shorris served as chief operating officer of a city government of roughly 350,000 employees, a $100 billion annual budget and more than three dozen agencies.
Earlier, as a senior budget official under Mayor Edward I. Koch, Shorris helped architect the Ten-Year Housing Plan, the largest municipal housing initiative in the country at the time, dedicating more than $4 billion in city capital to the construction and rehabilitation of nearly 200,000 units of affordable housing in neighborhoods that had been devastated by disinvestment and arson. As Finance Commissioner, he led the fourth-largest tax agency in the nation, cracked down on tax fraud in some of the largest investigations in city history and created the city’s first Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
Over his career, Shorris also served as Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Deputy Chancellor for Operations at the Department of Education and in senior healthcare leadership at NYU Langone Health and Healthfirst, the nonprofit insurer he helped launch to serve low-income New Yorkers. He teaches at Princeton University and serves as Vice Chair of the Regional Plan Association.
The administration also announced that former Chair of the Federal Trade Commission Lina Khan will serve as Chair of the NYCEDC Board of Directors. She will bring that experience to her new role, partnering with Shorris to help NYCEDC deliver reliably for working New Yorkers in every borough.
“To achieve real economic justice in our city, we need to continue to grow our economy, attract new businesses to the five boroughs and create more job opportunities so New Yorkers can stay New Yorkers. Tony is a proven leader with decades of experience proving that economic development can and must include the working class. Building a fairer, more resilient economy has always been at the heart of his work and I look forward to working closely with him to advance that mission at EDC,” said Mayor Mamdani.
“Lina Khan has fought exploitation and dishonesty in courtrooms and classrooms across the country, and given us the blueprint for a government that delivers for working people. As Chair of the EDC Board of Directors, I know that Lina will not only steer our administration’s economic development efforts toward a new era of opportunity, but ensure justice is the driving principle behind all of our work.”
“Tony Shorris brings a rare depth of experience to this work — decades spent showing how thoughtful public leadership can deliver results for New Yorkers. And in Lina Khan, we have a chair who has spent her career ensuring our economy works fairly for consumers and small businesses alike,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su.
“Together, they’ll help EDC use every tool at its disposal to build a city that’s more affordable and more just for the people who call it home.”
“I’m honored to take on this role at a moment when New York is asking bigger questions about who its economy is for,” said Anthony Shorris.
“I look forward to working with businesses, labor and communities to grow an economy that all New Yorkers can share in.”
“EDC has a vital role to play in ensuring that New York’s economy is growing in ways that make our city more affordable, efficient and resilient,” said NYCEDC Board Chair Lina Khan.
“I look forward to working with the administration to advance this vision and make life materially better for New Yorkers.”
The administration today also announced the reappointment of Clare Newman as President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island and Lindsay Greene as President and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation.
“I’m grateful to Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Deputy Mayor Julie Su for the opportunity to continue leading the Trust for Governors Island,” said Clare Newman, President & CEO of The Trust for Governors Island.
“Over the past decade, thanks to the City’s sustained investment, the Island has been transformed from a shuttered military base into one of New York’s great public resources — a place where any New Yorker can experience open space, art, and culture just a short ferry ride away. Our mission has always been to build a world-class public space defined by climate innovation and creativity, and I’m looking forward to partnering with the Mamdani administration and Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su to make sure Governors Island keeps delivering for all New Yorkers.”
“Tony Shorris brings a truly exceptional mix of experience, energy and strength to Mayor Mamdani’s economic development team,” said New York Director of State Operations Jackie Bray.
“I’ve long known Tony as a trusted partner, mentor and friend to so many city and state leaders and having him at the helm of such a critical agency will only make our shared mission to drive growth and opportunity stronger. His deep public sector leadership, strategic judgement and proven ability to get big things done make him an outstanding choice to lead NYC EDC. This is exactly the kind of seasoned and steady leadership that will make a difference from day one.”
“Tony Shorris is an accomplished public-sector leader whose experience, sound judgment and deep knowledge of New York City government will serve EDC well,” said New York City Comptroller Mark Levine.
“At a moment when our city must strengthen its economic competitiveness and ensure growth benefits New Yorkers in every borough, EDC needs a steady and effective hand at the helm. Tony is an excellent choice, and I look forward to working with him in this important role.”
“Anthony Shorris brings decades of experience in public service and a deep understanding of how city government works,” said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
“I congratulate him on his appointment, and look forward to working together on behalf of New Yorkers.”
“I congratulate Tony Shorris on his appointment to lead NYCEDC. I had the opportunity to work with Tony during my time in the de Blasio Administration, and I know him to be a thoughtful leader who cares deeply about New York City and the people who call it home,” said Speaker Julie Menin.
“At a time when New Yorkers are facing an affordability crisis and our city is competing every day to retain and attract good-paying jobs, strong economic development leadership is more important than ever. I know Tony understands what’s at stake, and I look forward to working with him to strengthen our economy, support small businesses and expand opportunity in every borough.”
“The administration has found someone with real stature, great knowledge of the city and its diverse communities, and a champion of both economic growth and the needs of communities across the five boroughs,” said Kathy Wylde, former President and Chair of the Partnership for New York.
“The New York Building Congress congratulates Anthony Shorris on his appointment as President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Throughout his distinguished career, Anthony has led some of New York’s most consequential public and private sector institutions, including serving as First Deputy Mayor, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and as a partner at McKinsey & Company. His decades of leadership and deep understanding of government, infrastructure and economic development make him exceptionally well suited to lead NYCEDC,” said Carlo Scissura, President and CEO of the New York Building Congress.
“We applaud Mayor Mamdani on an outstanding selection – someone who will truly bring together housing and economic development and growth – and look forward to working with him to advance the projects, partnerships and investments that will strengthen our economy, create jobs and build a more prosperous New York City.”
“I am grateful to Mayor Mamdani and Deputy Mayor Su for the opportunity to continue leading the Brooklyn Navy Yard and to deepen its role as a powerful engine of economic justice and opportunity for New Yorkers,” said Lindsay Greene, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation.
