Leadership Updates

Dear Colleagues, 

I am excited to share with you the following leadership appointments at NYCHA: 

Farhan Abdullah was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, overseeing NYCHA’s information technology operations, including enterprise applications, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and technology strategy. Farhan brings nearly 20 years of New York City government technology leadership experience. He most recently served as Senior Director of Technology at the NYC School Construction Authority (SCA), where he led a major financial systems transformation supporting the Authority’s multi-billion-dollar capital program. Prior to SCA, Farhan spent over a decade at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), where he served in several leadership roles. At DEP, he led business and technology transformation initiatives spanning mainframe modernization, infrastructure, data management, field operations, and cybersecurity. He began his City career at the NYC Employees’ Retirement System. Farhan holds a master’s degree in cybersecurity from NYU Tandon School of Engineering and a bachelor’s degree in computer science and accounting from Queens College, CUNY. 

Dylan Baker-Rice was appointed Chief Asset and Capital Management Officer, responsible for leading a division of over 450 staff in capital planning, design, and construction for public housing capital improvements with an annual capital budget of $1.3 billion. Dylan joined NYCHA in 2021, initially serving as Director, and later Senior Director, of Asset and Capital Management’s Architecture and Engineering Services Department, before his appointment as Deputy Chief Asset and Capital Management Officer in 2024. Prior to NYCHA, Dylan worked in affordable housing and the architecture, engineering, and construction industry for more than 20 years, both in the US and abroad. In addition to his work in architecture and construction, Dylan has taught and lectured at architecture and urban design schools around the world. Dylan earned a Bachelor of Science in construction technology and sustainable development from Appalachian State University, and he holds a Master of Architecture degree from Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.  

Heather Beck was appointed Interim Executive Vice President and Chief Real Estate Officer, overseeing the development, implementation, and management of NYCHA’s real estate programs. In her six years at NYCHA, she has served as Deputy Chief Real Estate Officer, Senior Advisor, and Senior Policy Analyst within the Real Estate Development Department, where she helped implement resident-centered engagement and partner selection policies and launched a program that provides NYCHA residents with independent, technical support. Before joining NYCHA, Heather worked at Citizens Housing and Planning Council (CHPC), where she co-led a research initiative that pulled best practices from London’s social housing revitalization into recommendations for New York. Prior to CHPC, Heather worked on the policy team at Enterprise New York and directed an AmeriCorps program in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to lead recovery and rebuilding efforts for low-income homeowners.  

Jose Cajas was appointed Senior Director of General Services and Supply Chain Optimization, overseeing Fleet Services, printing/mail operations, as well as management of the Scanning Unit. He aims to enhance supply chain best practices across the entire Supply Chain Management department in support of the Authority’s transformation efforts. Jose comes to NYCHA with almost 14 years of experience at the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services, where he served most recently as Director of Emergency Operations and Technical Services, bringing extensive knowledge of interagency collaboration and key supply chain and fleet functions. Additionally, Jose was part of an elite interagency team deployed to San Juan, Puerto Rico, as part of New York City’s Hurricane Maria municipal response.   

Carly Hoffmann was appointed Vice President for Transactions in the Real Estate Development Department (REDD), where she oversees the financial analysis, HUD approval process, and financial closings for projects in NYCHA’s PACT program and other real estate development initiatives. Prior to working at NYCHA, Carly worked in preservation finance at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Carly also worked as a book editor before starting her career in affordable housing. Carly received her master’s degree in city and regional planning at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and her bachelor’s degree at Columbia University.   

Nick Mendoza was appointed Chief Procurement Officer, overseeing all aspects of NYCHA’s procurement of contracts. Nick’s career in New York City government spans nearly two decades. His career began at the NYC Economic Development Corporation, where he oversaw contracts ranging from construction to economic transformation. He later served as a liaison to Housing Recovery Operations, assisting in the City’s recovery from Hurricane Sandy. Nick then joined the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), becoming the Agency Chief Contracting Officer, overseeing a $2 billion capital portfolio and helping to roll out the agency’s Design-Build program. Following his time at DDC, Nick served as the acting head of the Division of Contracts and Purchasing for the NYC Department of Education, overseeing all contract and procurement activities for NYC public schools. Most recently, he served as the Agency Chief Contracting Officer for the NYPD, overseeing the procurement of goods and services tied to public safety. Nick earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Trinity College. 

Michael Parkinson was appointed Vice President of Portfolio Planning and Project Development in REDD, where he oversees portfolio planning and resident engagement for NYCHA’s PACT program and other real estate development initiatives. Michael joined NYCHA in 2020 and most recently served as Director of Community Planning. Prior to joining NYCHA, Michael served with the NYC Department of City Planning, where he led major neighborhood planning, land use, and housing initiatives across the Bronx, coordinating large-scale public investments and interagency efforts. Michael holds a Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Emma Vitaliano was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff, supporting the Chief Executive Officer in overseeing the Authority’s operations and advancing its strategic priorities, including modernization initiatives and public housing preservation efforts. Emma brings a decade of experience in government, policy, and public affairs, including seven years with NYCHA’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA). Most recently, she served as Interim Deputy Chief of Staff and Vice President of IGA, overseeing legislative affairs and government relations at the city, state, and federal levels. Prior to joining NYCHA, Emma spent seven years in Washington, DC, working with government agencies, elected officials, and lobbying firms on policy development and legislative strategy. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University. 

Please welcome our new colleagues and congratulate those who were promoted to their new roles! We will continue to keep you updated as we move forward as an agency in service to our residents. 

Sincerely, 

Lisa Bova-Hiatt, Chief Executive Officer