New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed veteran public sector leader Anthony Shorris as President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), tasking him with leading the city’s economic development strategy focused on housing, job creation, and business growth. Shorris brings more than 40 years of leadership experience across government, transportation, healthcare, education, and economic development, having overseen multibillion-dollar budgets and large public agencies throughout his career. He most recently served in leadership roles across the public and nonprofit sectors, including as First Deputy Mayor under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, where he helped manage a city government of approximately 350,000 employees and an annual budget of more than US$100 billion. As CEO of NYCEDC, Shorris will oversee efforts to attract investment, support small businesses, expand affordable housing, advance strategic development projects, and strengthen economic opportunities across New York City’s five boroughs. Mayor Mamdani said Shorris’ experience aligns with the administration’s goal of delivering inclusive economic growth. “Tony is a proven leader with decades of experience proving that economic development can and must include the working class,” Mamdani said. “Building a fairer, more resilient economy has always been at the heart of his work.” The administration also announced that former U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan will serve as Chair of the NYCEDC Board of Directors, bringing expertise in competition policy and economic regulation to the organisation’s leadership. Shorris previously helped develop New York City’s landmark Ten-Year Housing Plan during the Koch administration, one …
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed veteran public sector leader Anthony Shorris as President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), tasking him with leading the city’s economic development strategy focused on housing, job creation, and business growth.
Shorris brings more than 40 years of leadership experience across government, transportation, healthcare, education, and economic development, having overseen multibillion-dollar budgets and large public agencies throughout his career.
He most recently served in leadership roles across the public and nonprofit sectors, including as First Deputy Mayor under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, where he helped manage a city government of approximately 350,000 employees and an annual budget of more than US$100 billion.
As CEO of NYCEDC, Shorris will oversee efforts to attract investment, support small businesses, expand affordable housing, advance strategic development projects, and strengthen economic opportunities across New York City’s five boroughs.
Mayor Mamdani said Shorris’ experience aligns with the administration’s goal of delivering inclusive economic growth.
“Tony is a proven leader with decades of experience proving that economic development can and must include the working class,” Mamdani said. “Building a fairer, more resilient economy has always been at the heart of his work.”
The administration also announced that former U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan will serve as Chair of the NYCEDC Board of Directors, bringing expertise in competition policy and economic regulation to the organisation’s leadership.
Shorris previously helped develop New York City’s landmark Ten-Year Housing Plan during the Koch administration, one of the largest municipal affordable housing initiatives in U.S. history. Throughout his career, he has also served as Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Deputy Chancellor for Operations at the New York City Department of Education, and held senior leadership positions at NYU Langone Health and Healthfirst.
“I’m honoured to take on this role at a moment when New York is asking bigger questions about who its economy is for,” Shorris said. “I look forward to working with businesses, labour and communities to grow an economy that all New Yorkers can share in.”
The appointments come as New York City continues investing in housing, infrastructure, workforce development, and emerging industries to strengthen its competitiveness while addressing affordability challenges and supporting long-term economic growth.
The administration also confirmed 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.
