As the supervisor city laborer for mold remediation at NYCHA, Arturo Vargas was ready to take on the challenge of battling mold. He knew that by helping to rid apartments of mold growth, he would be ensuring a healthier environment for residents in their homes and improving their quality of life. “I was ready for… MORE
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The first session of NYCHA’s Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA) wrapped up on June 15 with a call to action to participants, especially the mentees, to pay things forward by mentoring others in the Authority. Twenty-five supervisory staff from across NYCHA with diverse leadership experiences mentored 25 other staff to help them fulfill… MORE
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In January 2023, NYCHA launched its first-ever Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA). Participants in the 16-week program are receiving training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications and crisis management, and they get the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills through mentorship. Read on to learn more about a few of… MORE
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June is National Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising and recognizes the impact and contributions of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+). In honor of Pride Month, we highlight the work of NYCHA’s LGBTQIA+ employees.
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In January 2023, NYCHA launched its first-ever Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA). Participants in the 16-week program are receiving training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications and crisis management, and they get the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills through mentorship. Read on to learn more about a few of… MORE
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Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in May!
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In January 2023, NYCHA launched its first-ever Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA). Participants in the 16-week program are receiving training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications and crisis management, and they get the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills through mentorship. Read on to learn more about a few of… MORE
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Former Resident, Seasoned Manager Is Retiring After Nearly 25 Years at NYCHA NYCHA has held a prominent place in the life and career of Millie Molina. A native New Yorker, Ms. Molina spent her childhood as a resident of Patterson Houses in the Bronx before her family eventually purchased a home in Queens Village. After… MORE
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Growing up in Tilden Houses in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Amanda Moore always knew she wanted to work in public service. In the summers, she went to camp through her development’s community center and took part in the center’s after-school program: “The center gave us a place to go, and the staff were amazing! I’ll never forget… MORE
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In January 2023, NYCHA launched its first-ever Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA). Participants in the 16-week program are receiving training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications and crisis management, and they get the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills through mentorship. Read on to learn more about a few of… MORE
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In January 2023, NYCHA launched its first-ever Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA). Participants in the 16-week program are receiving training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications and crisis management, and they get the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills through mentorship. Read on to learn more about a few of… MORE
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As a native New Yorker who grew up in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Kevin Law-Lee knows the value of community. He also knows when to seize an opportunity to serve, as he did in 2018 when he joined NYCHA from the private sector. “Public service offers me the opportunity to contribute to the greater good by… MORE
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Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in April! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… MORE
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NYCHA appreciates the hard work of our administrative staff who support residents and employees across the five boroughs. In honor of National Administrative Professionals Day, celebrated during the last week of April, we recognize the contributions of Red Hook West Houses Secretaries Brenai Campbell and Laura Gonzalez, two of the many administrative employees whose dedication… MORE
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If you have ever attended an official NYCHA event, either at a central office or at a development, or used NYCHA’s conference room audio-visual equipment to conduct a meeting, then you have experienced firsthand the handiwork of NYCHA’s Audiovisual (A/V) Unit. The unit, part of the Department of Communications, is made up of two audio-visual… MORE
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In January 2023, NYCHA launched its first-ever Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA). Participants in the 16-week program are receiving training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications and crisis management, and they get the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills through mentorship. Read on to learn more about a few of… MORE
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In January 2023, NYCHA launched its first-ever Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA). Participants in the 16-week program are receiving training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications and crisis management, and they get the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills through mentorship. Over the next few weeks, we will profile some… MORE
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Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in March!
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In January 2023, NYCHA launched its first-ever Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA). Participants in the 16-week program are receiving training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications and crisis management, and they get the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills through mentorship. Over the next few weeks, we will profile some… MORE
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During Women’s History Month, we honor the contributions women have made and continue to make. From frontline staff at developments to executives in the central offices, women employees at NYCHA are leading the way in helping to improve and strengthen NYCHA. We spoke with Andra Stanley, who joined NYCHA as Deputy Chief of Staff last… MORE
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Richard Kocurek, Mohammed Hossain, and Jose Seymour lead a small but vital team of asbestos inspectors and handlers who address about 90 percent of asbestos issues in NYCHA developments across the five boroughs. The three supervisors have a combined 87 years of experience in the field of lead and asbestos abatement. Mr. Kocurek, an asbestos… MORE
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Meet Leticia Barboza, NYCHA’s Photographer (Who Goes the Extra Mile – Sometimes Vertically) The work of NYCHA Staff Photographer Leticia Barboza – whose handiwork you’ve seen in many of the articles here – aligns perfectly with the theme of this year’s Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories. And Ms. Barboza is known… MORE
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In January 2023, NYCHA launched its first ever Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy. The 16-week program is providing participants with an opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills through training and mentorship. Academy participants are receiving training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications, public speaking, crisis management, effective writing, customer service, and… MORE
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During Women’s History Month, we honor the contributions women have made and continue to make. From frontline staff at developments to executives in the central offices, women employees at NYCHA are leading the way in helping to improve and strengthen NYCHA. We spoke with Lauren Gray, Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer (COO),… MORE
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March is Social Work Month, an opportunity to celebrate the profession and help others learn about the many positive contributions its practitioners make to society. NYCHA has had its own social services department since 1978. The department, now known as Family Partnerships, has undergone several changes – in name and function – since its creation.… MORE
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Michele Moore is not one to shy away from a challenge. On the contrary, she welcomes it. Coming from a family of public servants – her mother was a public school teacher and her father worked at NYCHA for over 30 years – Ms. Moore said she knew public service could be challenging sometimes. But… MORE
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Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in February!
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Meet Annika Lescott-Martinez, NYCHA’s Chief Financial Officer Managing the funds of the nation’s largest public housing authority might seem daunting, but Annika Lescott-Martinez isn’t one to be intimidated. “I’m used to dealing with big numbers; big numbers don’t scare me,” stated Ms. Lescott-Martinez, NYCHA’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Finance. Her… MORE
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Connecting NYCHA residents to sustainable employment has a deeper meaning for George Gomez. As the Supervisor of Job Generation in NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES), Mr. Gomez works with NYCHA departments, development partners, and contractors to provide residents with a variety of economic opportunities, including training and employment. “I’ve definitely found… MORE
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For nearly a decade, Yolanda Brooks dreamed of becoming a NYCHA employee. In 2011, after recovering from a stroke she suffered in 2001, the Taft Houses resident got her first shot at collaborating with NYCHA as a supervisor for the Resident Watch program. It was a volunteer position that saw her helping to ensure the… MORE
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During Black History Month, we are reminded of the opportunity that public housing has provided to countless families since its foundation and its role in fostering a society that is more fair and just. We spoke with Marvin Walton, NYCHA’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, who has spent decades working in public housing, to get his thoughts on the institution, what it’s like to help run the largest public housing authority in the nation, and what the future may bring.
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Richard Meyers has over 25 years of experience managing construction projects at college campuses, hotels, Universal Orlando rides, American Dream theme parks, and more – yet his most rewarding projects have been at NYCHA developments in service of NYCHA residents. Mr. Meyers joined NYCHA in summer 2019 as a project manager in Asset & Capital… MORE
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Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in January!
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Her name, Victoria Vasquez, might not ring a bell, but her voice is familiar to NYCHA residents and just about anyone who has ever called NYCHA’s offices. For nearly a decade, the Vladeck Houses resident has been lending her voice to the interactive voice responses (IVR) for the robocalls NYCHA sends out to residents… MORE
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While Tischelle George has held roles in different departments throughout her 16-year career at NYCHA, they have all furthered her passion for education, mentoring, and ensuring residents and employees have the information and resources necessary to be successful. Currently, Ms. George is the director of special projects for Operations Support Services (OSS), where she provides… MORE
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Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in December!
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Kim Maxwell, a senior driver with NYCHA’s Digital Van program, has been tapped to become NYCHA’s first Neighborhood Tech Supervisor. He will lead a new mobile team of IT technicians who will visit property management offices to help staff troubleshoot their computers and train them on new software. Mr. Maxwell has been a digital van… MORE
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Shetara Turner has lived at Campos Plaza since she was 6 years old. Now this mother of two is not just a NYCHA resident but is also a NYCHA employee. The former retail store employee launched her NYCHA career thanks to the New York City Cleanup Corps program, which was created to help the… MORE
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Until September 11, 2001, Alex Zablocki was sure he wanted to work on Wall Street. At the time, he was a student at Baruch College studying for a degree in finance and investment. He had worked for a stockbroker while in high school and was on a path to obtaining the licenses required to work… MORE
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The Spanish-language flier posted at the Bronx’s Butler Houses announcing a planning meeting for basketball court and playground upgrades is no ordinary flier: It is the 10,000th document translated into a foreign language for NYCHA residents in the 14 years the Language Services Unit (LSU) has been keeping track. “It’s a huge achievement that we… MORE
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Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in November!
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For nearly two decades, Joy Sinderbrand has been instrumental in the execution of several public-private partnership projects that have shaped the city of New York; she has a knack for ensuring project teams are on the same page so they can achieve ambitious goals. As NYCHA’s Senior Vice President for Capital Programs, streamlining the… MORE
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On June 9, NYCHA’s Office of Mold Assessment and Remediation (OMAR) held a ceremony to recognize more than 50 staff who worked on NYCHA’s ventilation programs. Notably, OMAR staff completed an Authority-wide roof fan project, which involved replacing 6,188 roof fans and confirming that an additional 2,248 fans are functional and can be kept in… MORE
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When Edith Taylor-Campbell makes a commitment to serve, she turns it into a career. This can be said for both her work at NYCHA and service with the United States Army. The housing assistant joined the NYCHA workforce nearly three decades ago in 1994, while accumulating an equally impressive 26 years of military service with… MORE
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No one is more surprised than Motor Vehicle Operator Oren Boujo that his 33rd year as a NYCHA Fleet driver begins this November. “It’s amazing,” he said. “Who holds a job for 33 years?” Probably fellow Fleet Motor Vehicle Operator Kenneth Shindler: In January, he will begin his 31st year as a NYCHA Fleet driver.… MORE
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Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in October!
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Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in September!
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National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15, a time to recognize the contributions, achievements, and culture of Americans who descend from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. NYCHA employee David Soto lives, breathes, and sings his Puerto Rican culture and Lower East Side community, working to celebrate and showcase… MORE
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It’s not every day that one gets singled out by the mayor of New York City for doing a great job. But earlier this month, Mayor Eric Adams honored Jacqueline Howard, a 32-year veteran NYCHA employee, for her work as project coordinator in the Resident Participation & Civic Engagement department. The ceremony took place at… MORE
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Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in August! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25… MORE
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Sam Mordi might be moving on from his longtime career at NYCHA, but not without taking with him a wealth of appreciation from his colleagues. After working for 30 years in the Law Department, Mr. Mordi is retiring from his position as Deputy General Counsel for housing litigation on August 31. In recognition of his… MORE
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Meet Lynn Spivey, Administrative Staff Analyst in the Heating Management Services Department Lynn Spivey is often mentioned and quoted in articles, not just as a long-time NYCHA employee but also for her involvement in various employee initiatives: she is an Administrative Staff Analyst in the Heating Management Services Department (HMSD) and the President of NYCHA’s… MORE
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For almost a decade, Shanna Castillo and her team have worked to continue to develop NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES) — which connects residents to employment and career advancement, adult education and vocational training, financial empowerment, and business development — into a model of how partnership and access to opportunities can… MORE
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Like many who have worked extensively in government, Brian Honan knows that building relationships is key to advancing legislation and solving complex problems for people in the community. As Senior Vice President of NYCHA’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations, the bonds he has formed with NYCHA residents, members of the public, and elected officials are… MORE
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Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in July! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25… MORE
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Meet Ernesto Rodriguez, Administrative Training Coordinator at Learning & Development’s Maintenance Training Center Whenever Ernesto Rodriguez goes to a NYCHA development, he recognizes most of the property management and maintenance staff – because he trained them. Mr. Rodriguez is the Administrator of HR’s Maintenance Training Center, which equips assistant superintendents, superintendents, and field staff with… MORE
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Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in June! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… MORE
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Twenty-three years ago, Antonia Zambrano submitted her resume at a job fair and shortly after became a NYCHA employee. Starting out as a Bilingual Housing Assistant for the Leased Housing Department, she is now the Assistant Director of the Leased Housing Department’s Central Office Operations. All of the positions Ms. Zambrano has held at the… MORE
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NYCHA Caretaker Angel Martinez can often be seen wearing a smile as he works each day to maintain a safe and clean environment for residents and employees at Smith Houses in Manhattan. Fellow veteran Caretaker Rebecca Miranda is well regarded for her customer service, which has helped make hers a familiar name among the residents… MORE
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A resident of Brooklyn’s Boulevard Houses, Lisa Gladden has worked at NYCHA for about 22 years. Most of that time was spent at Sumner Houses in Brooklyn, where she served as a secretary before accepting the housing assistant job at Breukelen Houses nearly two years ago. Ms. Gladden started her career at NYCHA through the… MORE
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Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in May! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25… MORE
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Awarded for 18th Year in a Row On Thursday, May 12, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada awarded the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended on December… MORE
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Kimberly Taylor, who grew up at Manhattan’s Johnson Houses, is now the Authority’s Director of Public Housing Tenancy Operations. But when her NYCHA career journey began nearly four decades ago, she was an Emergency Services Aide in the Emergency Services Department (ESD). Back then, in 1984, work tickets were written out by hand and then… MORE
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NYCHA’s Capital Projects Division (CPD) presented six staff members with its 2021 Employee Recognition Award to honor their exemplary efforts toward meeting the department’s mission. CPD is committed to preserving and modernizing public housing for NYCHA residents by providing professional design and construction services efficiently and with the highest degree of safety and quality. The… MORE
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This year’s National Women’s History theme, “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless and vital work of caregivers and front-line workers (especially during a pandemic) as well as a recognition of the countless ways that women have provided healing and hope throughout history. We’d like to honor the contributions to… MORE
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Twenty-seven years ago, when Lisa Bova-Hiatt started her career at the New York City Law Department, Office of the Corporation Counsel, she didn’t know the turns her career would take over the years – but she knew for sure that she wanted to serve the city where she was born and grew up. Since then,… MORE
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Women’s History Month: Providing Healing, Promoting Hope For more than 30 years, Ukah Busgith has made it her mission to help improve the quality of life for NYCHA residents – whether through enrichment programs for young people, managing arts and garden programs, overseeing community centers, or connecting residents to the activities, programs, and social services… MORE
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Meet Sue Ellen Doria, Senior Management Trainer If you’re a NYCHA employee, you’ve probably already met Sue Ellen Doria. She is the first person to meet and greet all NYCHA employees on their first day on the job. That’s because Ms. Doria is the lead trainer for new employee orientation training, imparting important tips about… MORE
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Meet Edwin Mendez, Acting Deputy Director of Energy & Sustainability Programs in the Capital Projects Division Since his very first day at NYCHA, Edwin Mendez has worked in various energy-efficiency programs in the Energy and Sustainability Programs Department. In fact, his first role at the Authority – an internship in 2006 – later became Mr.… MORE
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Meet Devon Boyd, Contract Specialist in Procurement Operations When handling priority assignments for NYCHA’s Procurement Operations, Contract Specialist Devon Boyd is prepared to put in the time to get the jobs done. A former NYCHA resident who lived in Cypress Hills Houses for most of his life, Mr. Boyd said he knows how important it is to address repairs… MORE
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Meet Jeffrey Sanders, Supervisor of Special Initiatives in the Pest Control Department Formerly a regional manager of a healthcare company’s marketing team, Jeffrey Sanders took a new direction in his career by joining NYCHA in 2019. Mr. Sanders was hired to supervise the work to install door sweeps across the portfolio. After all the necessary… MORE
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Meet Elena Tenchikova, Senior Director of NYCHA’s Office of Mold Assessment and Remediation (OMAR) Elena Tenchikova first stepped into a NYCHA office 10 years ago, as a NYC Civic Corps volunteer. She was assigned to be a liaison to the Authority’s resident green committees, which are organized groups of NYCHA residents volunteering to beautify their developments.… MORE
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Meet Katie Gordon, Deputy Director of Compliance Monitoring Meet Katie Gordon, Deputy Director of Compliance Monitoring in the Compliance Department. Katie has worked at NYCHA since 2017. She previously worked as a senior analyst in the Authority’s Office of Strategic Innovations before joining the Compliance team. Before coming to NYCHA, she worked at a nonprofit… MORE
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Just after a fire was extinguished at Riis Houses, word soon spread about how a group of good Samaritans met tragedy with heroism: the NYCHA employees, residents, and construction contractors who sprang into action with a quick-thinking solution to keep two young residents out of harm’s way. The incident unfolded after a fire broke out on the fourth floor of the Manhattan development at about 7:15 a.m. on December 16. Resident Building… MORE
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We’re periodically featuring the female property managers who help NYCHA carry out its mission to better serve residents and strengthen our partnership with them. NYCHA supports and encourages women in leadership positions in all departments, including property management. Currently, there are 260 women working as property managers at the Authority. In this installment, meet one… MORE
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Meet Janine Rodriguez, Housing Manager in Manhattan Property Management We’re periodically featuring the female property managers who help NYCHA carry out its mission to better serve residents and strengthen our partnership with them. NYCHA supports and encourages women in leadership positions in all departments, including property management. Currently, there are about 260 women working as… MORE
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When he was fresh out of high school, longtime NYCHA employee Juan Santiago found the U.S. Navy to be just the place to pursue his ambitions at the time. Having only left his home in the Bronx on a few occasions to visit extended family in the Dominican Republic, the young Mr. Santiago “really wanted to… MORE
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Every month, we feature the hardworking staff members who are making a difference for residents. Learn more about how we’re becoming a better landlord through their efforts. In this installment, meet Marlon Forbes, Deputy Director of the Compliance Integration Reporting and Evaluation Unit. Marlon Forbes has been working at NYCHA for the last 15 years.… MORE
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Meet Shekeiva King NYCHA is celebrating National Customer Service Week 2021 during the week of October 18-22. This year’s theme, “Power of Service,” reaffirms and celebrates our commitment to excellent customer service. As part of the celebrations, we are highlighting NYCHA Changemakers – employees who use our core values to create meaningful, sustainable change in… MORE
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Meet Linda Padilla NYCHA is celebrating National Customer Service Week 2021 during the week of October 18-22. This year’s theme, “Power of Service,” reaffirms and celebrates our commitment to excellent customer service. As part of the celebrations, we are highlighting NYCHA Changemakers – employees who use our core values to create meaningful, sustainable change in… MORE
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Meet Sam Awelewa, Lead Oversight Team Specialist NYCHA is proud of our hardworking staff members who are making a difference for residents. Learn more about how we’re becoming a better landlord through their efforts. In this employee spotlight, meet Sam Awelewa, Lead Oversight Team Specialist in the Environmental Health and Safety Department. A resident of Brooklyn, Mr. Awelewa has worked… MORE
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