WHAT'S NEW & WHO'S NEWS
Yonkers Appoints Susan Gerry Deputy Mayor; Landi to Serve as Interim Housing Commissioner
YONKERS—On Jan. 2, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano announced several seniorlevel personnel changes in his administration, including the re-appointment of Susan Gerry as deputy mayor. Ms. Gerry served as the first female deputy mayor in the city from 2012 to 2017.
The mayor also reported that Deputy Mayor Anthony Landi has transitioned to a new role as Interim Commissioner of Housing and Building, following the retirement of Commissioner Sam Borelli. Mr. Landi will facilitate the process of hiring a new commissioner for the department. Mr. Landi was appointed deputy mayor in 2021 and previously served as the city’s Parks, Recreation & Conservation Commissioner. Both Ms. Gerry and Mr. Landi began their respective new positions on Jan. 1.
“We are excited to welcome back someone of Sue’s caliber to City Hall. Her core background in government administration and management has served our residents well in the past,” said Mayor Spano. “As we continue our transformative renaissance in our city, I look forward to Sue’s partnership in spearheading many of our newest initiatives.”
Ms. Gerry returns to the City of Yonkers from Westchester County Healthcare Corporation where she served as senior vice president. She obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law and a Bachelor of Business Administration from George Washington University. During her tenure as deputy mayor, she was responsible for spearheading the City of Yonkers-Yonkers Board of Education Consolidation Program, a first-of-its-kind, large-scale merger of the administrative operations of two distinct municipal entities.
Skanska Selected for $280M Contracts for NYC, MTA
NEW YORK—Skanska reported recently it has signed contracts with the New York City Economic Development Corp. and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority valued at a combined $280 million.
The firm, headquartered in Sweden, announced on Jan. 10 it had signed a contract with the New York City Economic Development Corporation to reconstruct a waterfront park and pier on Staten Island, NY worth $135 million, which will be included in its US order bookings for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Under the contract, Skanska will reconstruct the esplanade and shoreline, as well as make improvements to the pedestrian and bike paths along the esplanade. Skanska will also build a new 40,000-square-foot pier that will include an office building, storage facility and bulkhead. The scope of the work also covers landscaping and the removal of existing structures. Work is anticipated to begin in August 2024 and continue through late 2026.
On Jan. 12, Skanska announced it had signed a contract with the MTA to replace 21 escalators in locations throughout New York City. The contract is worth $145 million, which will be included in the US order bookings for the fourth quarter of 2023.
The project includes the replacement of 21 escalators and existing equipment in associated escalator and machine rooms with upgraded equipment that adheres to applicable code requirements and operational needs. Work begins in January 2024 and is expected to be completed in February 2027.
Orange County Exec. Neuhaus Begins Term As New Head of NYS County Executives’ Assn.
ALBANY—Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus has begun his term of office as president of the NYS County Executives’ Association (NYSCEA). Mr. Neuhaus replaces the association’s outgoing president, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. The association announced the start of Mr. Neuhaus’ term on Jan. 2.
The NYSCEA is an affiliate of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) and represents the 19 counties that have county executives as their chief elected official. These counties, including the City of New York, represent 16.7 million New Yorkers.
“I’m honored to have been chosen to lead this great organization at such a critical time for New York’s counties and the residents we serve,” said Mr. Neuhaus. “Around the state, counties are grappling with a wide array of issues from migration to Medicaid. As president, I’ll have the opportunity to push for innovative and common-sense solutions to these challenges that will benefit the residents of Orange County and counties across New York State.”
“County Executive Neuhaus has a proven record of leadership and service to Orange County and to our nation,” said NYSAC President and Albany County Executive Daniel P. Mc- Coy. “We’re proud to welcome his service to the association and look forward to working alongside NYSCEA to give voice to the interests of New York’s counties.”
Mr. Neuhaus is Orange County’s sixth county executive since the office was established in 1970. As C.E., he has focused on revitalizing Orange County’s economic development, enhancing its public health and safety, while improving its infrastructure and stabilizing its budget.
A life-long Orange County resident and the son of immigrants, Mr. Neuhaus was sworn into office on Jan. 1, 2014, after having served as the Town of Chester’s supervisor for six years. He was re-elected for a second four-year term as C.E. in 2017. He was also elected recently to serve on the Board of Directors of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) at the association’s Fall Seminar conference held in Erie County.
Mr. Neuhaus will serve a one-year term as president. Broome County Executive Jason Garnar is the president-elect.
Labor Leader Ortega of ELEC 825 Named to Orange Chamber Board
MAYBROOK, NY—Daniel Ortega of the Engineers Labor- Employee Cooperative (ELEC 825) was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, a 1,200-member business organization in the Village of Maybrook, NY.
Mr. Ortega, who oversees community affairs outreach at ELEC 825, brings to the board vast knowledge and expertise in advancing economic development, infrastructure and construction initiatives. Through these efforts, he continues to pursue and promote ELEC’s mission to foster an environment that creates economic development and construction in the region, which includes the State of New Jersey and five counties in the Hudson Valley in New York: Delaware, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster. Mr. Ortega is also a member of 17-Forward-86, a broad-based coalition of industry, trade and civic representatives advocating to improve mobility and safety in the region by adding an additional travel lane along Route 17 to convert the corridor to I-86 in Orange and Sullivan counties.
“I am thrilled to welcome Daniel Ortega to our Board of Directors,” said Heather Bell, president and CEO of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. “Daniel’s addition to our board promises invaluable contributions, blending legislative expertise with a wealth of community development and trade industry knowledge. His multifaceted expertise is pivotal for driving our economic development success.”
“I’m delighted with the opportunity to join my distinguished colleagues on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce,” said Mr. Ortega. “I look forward to collaborating with Chamber President Heather Bell and the board to advance the chamber’s vital mission of fostering success within the business community and improving the quality of life in our region.”
Mr. Ortega, who has served as the chair of the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, joins a host of business leaders of diverse expertise on the Board of Directors.
The Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative, ELEC 825, is a collaborative labor-management organization representing building contractor associations in New York and New Jersey. ELEC 825 works to expand economic development and stimulate growth working with chambers of commerce, business partnerships, professional associations and industry coalitions to support policies, legislation and regulations that encourage responsible economic development.