Spring weather is on the way, and so are cleaner grounds and buildings! As a result of consistent feedback from residents and staff, along with data from multiple evaluations, NYCHA is ending the Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) program for Caretakers and Supervisors and adopting a new, flexible model for staff scheduling. This will give each… Read More New Development-based Schedules for Janitorial Staff
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On May 29, the NYCHA running team gathered once again for the annual New York City “Corporate Challenge” race, an event solely for corporate runners sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. The 3.5-mile race series is a global celebration of teamwork, camaraderie, and community, and is inclusive, with a 50/50 split of men and women, from entry-level… Read More Running for Fun
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Kathie Soroka, formerly Senior Counsel to the General Counsel at HUD, was appointed Vice President for Real Estate Development in April 2017. Responsible for implementation of NYCHA’s real estate development strategy as outlined in NextGeneration NYCHA, Ms. Soroka oversees the management of development opportunities on vacant and underutilized NYCHA-owned land and the preservation of NYCHA’s… Read More Congratulations on the Following Appointments and Promotions
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Mother’s Day celebrates the enduring influence of mothers. Here are a few tributes from Hispanic Society members. Yvette Andino, Director of Employee Engagement and Special Assistant to the Chair I grew up at Wise Towers on the Upper West Side, where my parents still live. In honor of Mother’s Day, I just want to thank… Read More Hispanic Society Members Share Mother’s Day Memories
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City & State New York included Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye among New York’s 25 most remarkable women of 2017. The annual Above & Beyond listing spotlights leading women in the fields of business, health care, education, advocacy, and government. In the field of government, Chair Olatoye was cited for “taking on the complex challenges… Read More Chair Olatoye Among 2017’s Most Remarkable Women
Read MoreThe Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) recently awarded NYCHA its 2017 CBC Prize for Public Service Innovation for its NextGeneration NYCHA Digital Initiatives. As part of NextGen NYCHA, our 10-year strategic plan, the Authority has implemented several digital initiatives that increase efficiency, reduce operating costs, and improve customer service. These initiatives include the MyNYCHA app, smart… Read More NYCHA Wins Prize for Public Service Innovation
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Winter Storm Stella couldn’t prevent Emergency Services Department Maintenance Workers Rastislav Kovalcik and Estaben Cadiz from reporting to work on March 14 and responding to emergencies despite snow conditions and slippery roads. More than 3,100 snow removal staff worked in frigid temperatures on March 14 to keep sidewalks, stairs and public spaces safe for residents,… Read More Thank You to Staff
Read MoreIn celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, NYCHA photographed female employees for #nychawomenwork with signs they made to express why they do their job. #NYCHAwomenrock!
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Fast Company, a magazine covering technology and business, named the Fund for Public Housing as one of the ten most innovative non-profits in the world. Every year, Fast Company highlights for-profit and non-profit enterprises that are making an impact across the globe, selecting them from thousands of contenders. The Fund for Public Housing — which… Read More Fund for Public Housing Recognized for Innovation
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The Capital Projects Division held an all-staff meeting at the BMCC Theatre on January 10 to review the past year’s accomplishments and look ahead to 2017. Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye and GM Michael Kelly addressed almost 350 staff in attendance from all five Capital Projects departments: Energy & Sustainability, Quality Management & Support Services,… Read More Capital Projects Looks Back and Plans Ahead
Read MoreApplications have been received from throughout the Authority to serve on NYCHA’s new Employee Engagement Committee (EEC). The EEC will develop plans that can help us work together more effectively and efficiently, feel empowered to make positive changes in our workplace, and take ownership of NYCHA’s success. At regularly scheduled meetings, employees working in property… Read More NYCHA Launches Employee Engagement Committee
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Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye wished NYCHA’s Chinese-American Association (CAA) and its many friends “Sun Lin Figh Loke” (Happy New Year) at the CAA’s 24th Chinese Lunar New Year celebration on February 9. Almost 250 employees celebrated the occasion with a nine-course banquet at the Jing Fong restaurant in Manhattan’s Chinatown. The festivities included performances… Read More Happy Chinese New Year
Read MoreBatei Tsibur, the organization of Jewish employees at NYCHA, held its annual Chanukah celebration on December 28, 2016, beginning with the lighting of the Chanukah menorah. Batei Tsibur president Alan Pelikow recalled the two miraculous events that the holiday commemorates: the unlikely military victory of a small band of Jews against rulers that wanted to… Read More Chanukah Celebration
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Congratulations to Department of Communications’ photographer Leticia Barboza, whose photograph, at left, is featured prominently in the “City at Work: Portraits in Civic Pride” exhibit in City Hall. The images of City employees and residents provide a collective portrait of the individuals that City Hall and its agencies advocate for on a daily basis.
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For almost 10 years, Thomas Osei, a housing assistant at Butler Houses, has been working with a friend in Ghana to build and supply books for a library in his hometown of Kumasi, the nation’s second largest city. Completed in 2008, the library now contains almost 5,000 books and is visited yearly by approximately 1,200… Read More Thomas Osei Helps Hometown Kids in Ghana
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Twenty volunteers from NYCHA’s employee associations, the Department of Community Engagement and Partnerships, and the Office of Intergovernmental Relations joined with volunteers from Hillsong Church on December 21 to help Santa distribute gifts to more than 150 children living in NYCHA developments. A toy drive spearheaded by Marcela Medina, in Intergovernmental Relations, and Alicka Ampry-Samuel,… Read More Toy Drive Makes Holidays Merrier
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On November 14, the Haitian- American Association at NYCHA hosted a Hurricane Matthew fundraising luncheon, which was well attended by staff from various departments. Acting President of the Association Sybille Louis introduced its mission and the members of the Association’s board. Yvette Andino, Director of Employee Engagement and Special Assistant to the Chair, shared with… Read More Haitian-American Assoc. Responds to Hurricane Matthew
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Jackie Primeau, formerly Deputy Communications Officer in the Department of Communications, was promoted to Chief of Staff in December 2016. Ms. Primeau assists in the supervision of NYCHA’s operations and provides assistance to the Chair in the planning and execution of all the Authority’s strategic priorities, including NextGeneration NYCHA. In addition to working closely with… Read More Congratulations
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The Housing Authority Police Department (HAPD) Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 997 celebrated the holidays with a luncheon at Riccardo’s Catering House on Nov. 30. In 1995, the HAPD was merged into the NYC Police Department Housing Bureau. HAPD members take pride in their service at the Authority, and many members follow its progress in… Read More Fraternal Order of Police 997 Celebrate the Holidays
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Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye joined innovators, local governments and community groups at the White House Opportunity Project on October 6 to discuss the Authority’s progress in using new digital tools to better serve residents. At the forum, Chair Olatoye called for more tech partnerships and new tools to solve outstanding data challenges and help… Read More Chair Olatoye Addresses White House Forum
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The listing of employee organizations on Connect now includes the Culture and Arts Exchange, formed by Deputy Director for Community Safety Strategies Andre Cirilo. As he explains, the organization was created “to highlight the skills and abilities of NYCHA staff to improve morale.” Mr. Cirilo has been fostering interest in the arts since he was… Read More Check Out the Culture and Arts Exchange
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Congratulations to the Hispanic Society of NYCHA for hosting its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 13. Proud Hispanic employees and others attended the lively event, along with District Council Local 957 President Walthene Primus; Board Member Victor Gonalez; executive staff; and Society members, families, and friends. The evening included remarks from guest speakers Yvette… Read More Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
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General Manager Michael Kelly wished Asian American Association (AAA) members and friends a Shubh Diwali, or Happy Diwali, at the AAA’s observance of the ancient festival celebrating the victory of good over evil, held in the DC 37 headquarters on October 25. “For more than 21 years, the Asian American Association has enriched NYCHA by… Read More Asian American Association Celebrates Diwali
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Nicole Ferreira, formerly Vice President for Real Estate Development, was promoted to Executive Vice President for Real Estate. As a leader of the senior team, Ms. Ferreira oversees the Real Estate Development Department, leading the team to execute NextGeneration NYCHA strategic initiatives for both the preservation and new construction of affordable housing. She also oversees… Read More Congratulations on the following recent promotions:
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Chair Shola Olatoye conducted a candid and informative interview with former NYC Schools Chancellor and former Woodside Houses resident Joel Klein at the Quarterly Senior Leadership Meeting at Brooklyn Law School on September 30.
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Fernando Montejo, former advisor to the EVP for Administration, joined NYCHA directly following his volunteer service here through Civic Corps. Before long, he reached the level of Advisor to the General Manager. After dealing with the complex problems facing a major municipal agency, Fernando realized that he wanted to continue his education with a graduate… Read More NYCHA Notable
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Deborah Goddard, former Managing Director for Policy and Program Development at MassHousing, was appointed Executive Vice President for Capital Projects in August 2016. She is responsible for leading and directing the activities of NYCHA’s Capital Projects Division, which manages and administers NYCHA’s multi-billion dollar, multi-year capital program committed to preserving and modernizing NYCHA’s public housing… Read More Congratulations on the following recent appointments:
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Jeffrey Stakenburg, formerly Emergency Manager at the Federal Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was appointed Director of the Office of Emergency Management in July 2016. Mr. Stakenburg is responsible for coordinating NYCHA’s preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts to minimize disruptions to the Authority’s operations and services in the event of a… Read More Say Hello to “J” Stakenburg, Director of the Office of Emergency Management
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NYCHA has teamed up with the Office of Emergency Management to merge the existing Resident Watch Program with the City’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), creating a more responsive community-based watch effort that will be an asset not just to NYCHA developments but also to surrounding communities. CERT trains volunteers for different types of disasters,… Read More Resident Watch to Merge With City’s Emergency Response Team
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On July 19, Rasmia (“Ras”) Kirmani- Frye, President of the Fund for Public Housing and the Director of NYCHA’s Office of Public/Private Partnerships, participated in a conference sponsored by the New York Times called “Cities for Tomorrow: The Pre-eminent Conference for Urban Decision-Makers.” People value public systems such as police, libraries, parks, and schools but… Read More Watch “Ras” at Urban Decision-Makers Conference
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The Hispanic Society of NYCHA held a Christmas in July toy drive to benefit children at Wyckoff Medical Center in Brooklyn. A wide array of toys was donated by Society members, friends and families. “We are very encouraged by the response, on short notice, by so many individuals,” reported Society 1st Vice President Fernando Pagán.… Read More Christmas in July Toy Drive
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Members of NYCHA’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Employee Organization joined thousands of New Yorkers at the City’s Pride March on June 26. “Our members were excited by the opportunity to participate in this year’s Pride March under our organization’s banner—NYCHA’s Association of LGBTQ Employees,” said Association president D’Andra Van Heusen (third from… Read More LGBTQ Association Marches with Pride
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School’s out for Associate Counsel Rosanne Pisem, who completed the Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ (DCAS) Leadership Institute on June 28. The NYC Leadership Institute prepares outstanding mid-level executives to lead organizational change initiatives by introducing them to state-of-theart change models focusing on process and performance improvement. The four-month curriculum focuses on planning and implementing… Read More Congratulations to Rosanne Pisem
Read MoreSafeNYCHA is pleased to present its newest tool to promote safety in every NYCHA office and across all NYCHA campuses: the NYCHA Safety Forum. This new posting board offers users the opportunity to ask questions and share information about safety issues that are of concern to employees in all areas of the Housing Authority. Both… Read More NYCHA’s Safety Forum Makes Its Debut
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“We had a great time,” reported Hispanic Society First Vice President Fernando Pagán, who marched down Fifth Avenue on Sunday, June 12, with NYCHA’s contingent in New York’s 59th Puerto Rican Day Parade! “I have a short video (15 seconds) of us marching. It was filmed by Channel 7 Eyewitness News,” he added. If you… Read More NYCHA Marches in Puerto Rican Day Parade
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NYCHA’s Running Team joined thousands of New Yorkers on June 2 for the 40th Corporate Challenge run in Central Park. The 3.2-mile race is sponsored by JPMorgan Chase to raise funds for the preservation and maintenance of Central Park. “It was a perfect evening for a run with 15,000 New Yorkers and six amazing colleagues,”… Read More NYCHA Running Team at Corporate Run
Read MoreLike firefighters and police officers, NYCHA employees are public servants who take their job responsibilities seriously. Property management staff work hard to keep NYCHA developments and facilities clean, safe, and well-maintained. And, like firefighters, police officers, and other public servants, NYCHA employees receive special protections under the law. Legislation passed in 2014 provides NYCHA staff… Read More State Safety Law Protects NYCHA Workers
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Josephine Russo, former Associate General Counsel, was appointed Vice President for Supply Management and Procurement in April 2016. Ms. Russo plans and directs the implementation of NYCHA’s procurement operations, oversees the Supply Management Department, and is responsible for procurement, materials management, warehousing and distribution for all NYCHA locations. Tricia Roberts, CIA, former Director of Risk… Read More NYCHA Notes
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Mayor Bill de Blasio has appointed Nnenna Lynch to the NYCHA Board, effective April 26, 2016. She will attend her first Executive Board meeting on May 25. A seasoned leader in affordable housing and urban affairs, Ms. Lynch has a strong track record in urban policy and economic development, and is currently Director of Development… Read More Board Member Appointed
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On May 1, NYCHA Running Team co-captain Bob Nordman, computer specialist in IT, completed the Long Island Marathon. Successfully completing an arduous 26.2 mile footrace is a notable accomplishment. But for “Fast Bob” (as he is known across the country), this race had special significance—it was the culmination of Bob’s long-held goal of running 100… Read More Congratulations, Fast Bob
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The Authority released its Next- Generation NYCHA (NextGen) First Quarter 2016 Report to update progress made on our 10-year strategic plan. Upon release of the historic NextGen initiative last May, NYCHA committed to quarterly reports to show progress as well as areas in need of improvement. After laying the groundwork in 2015 for NextGen’s 15… Read More NextGeneration NYCHA 2016 First Quarter Report
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In recognition of Earth Day on April 22, NYCHA CONNECT invited staff to submit photos sharing “green office tips.” Keith Hernandez in General Services grows plants in empty liter bottles. “This contributes to a green atmosphere in my office,” Mr. Hernandez said, “and it uses recyclable plastic bottles in a hydroponic [no soil] approach. It… Read More Going Green at NYCHA
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A special request made at the end of the Construction Group’s meeting has NYCHANow excited. Director of Construction Patricia Zanger asked the group to send photographs of NYCHA staff overseeing or inspecting construction work in visually interesting environments to include in this publication. Just one day later, the first photo has arrived (see right). NYCHANow… Read More Construction Group Meeting Ends with a Call for Photos!
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As of March 7, 2016, per Mayoral Executive Order No. 16, all employees of City agencies and all members of the public using City services must be allowed to use the single-sex facility within facilities owned or operated by the City that most closely aligns with their gender identity or expression. This order protects the… Read More Training to Support Single-Sex Facility Access Policy
Read MoreKaren Caldwell, former Managing Director of Amundi Alternative Investments, was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President in January 2016. Ms. Caldwell is responsible for all financial planning, accounting, and reporting, as well as payroll, insurance, energy, and treasury activities for NYCHA’s annual operating budget of $3 billion and five-year capital budget of $2.45… Read More Congratulations
Read More“I absolutely love the ASK HR line,” wrote Wagner Houses Secretary III A Joy Tynes to the ASK HR feedback email account. “It helps me get quick answers to questions we have at the field office,” she said. “If no one else tells you this, I truly appreciate all that you do and your kind… Read More Letter of Commendation to Staff
Read MoreVolunteers are needed to assist the NYC Department of Homeless Services in conducting its annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) on Monday, January 25, 2016. Three thousand volunteers will help count the number of New Yorkers living on the City’s streets by canvassing parks, subways, and other public places. Training sites are located throughout the… Read More Hope 2016 Street Survey
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Chair Shola Olatoye welcomed Zaire Z. Dinzey-Flores as NYCHA’s newly appointed Executive Board Member, effective December 23, 2015, at the Executive Board meeting held on that day. A scholar of housing policy and design, urban planning, and community inequality, Dr. Dinzey- Flores is currently an Associate Professor of Sociology and Latino & Hispanic Caribbean Studies… Read More Board Member Appointed
Read MoreKerri Jew, former Deputy Commissioner at the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, effective January 4, 2016. Ms. Jew oversees major components of NYCHA’s organizational redesign, labor relations, and agency-wide process improvements. While Deputy Commissioner at SBS, Ms. Jew oversaw the City’s Minority and… Read More Congratulations
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Ivo Nikolic, formerly Administrator in NYCHA’s Elevator Services and Repair Department, was promoted to Director of Materials Management. In this capacity, Mr. Nikolic is responsible for oversight and operation of the LIC warehouse and the satellite warehouses. In addition to his experience at NYCHA—where he managed NYC Department of Buildings- mandated elevator inspections, elevator contracts… Read More Congratulations
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Seniors at Astoria Houses had something extra to appreciate this Thanksgiving, thanks to a food drive held by staff in the Sandy Project Management Operation Office of Disaster Recovery. The unit’s community outreach team and others work closely with residents in NYCHA’s Sandy-damaged developments. So when staff decided to have a food drive, “they knew… Read More A Thanksgiving Story
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Congratulations to nine tenacious runners who successfully completed the TSC New York City Marathon on November 1 or other recent marathons as far away as Alaska. Just finishing a 26.2-mile marathon is an accomplishment, and some of these runners, who are all members of NYCHA’s Running Team, did it with extra challenges or goals in… Read More Congratulations NYCHA Marathon Runners
Read MoreNYCHA has released a revised Human Resources Manual, effective December 1, 2015, which is being distributed Authoritywide. You also can access the HR manual on NYCHA Connect, by clicking Departments and then Human Resources.
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For almost 10 years, staff from the Bronx Community Programs and Development Department (CP&D) have encouraged their colleagues to wear pink every Friday from April through October, to raise funds for the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Those who do not wear pink are asked to donate $1.00 that day to the fundraising… Read More Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
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Customer service isn’t something that happens at NYCHA just during Customer Service Week (see p. 6). Recently, a letter praising Human Resources Administrative Staff Analyst Sharda Shrestha was sent to Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye by the sister of an employee who had passed away. The letter, printed below, tells the rest of the story.… Read More Letter of Commendation
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Janet Abrahams recently joined NYCHA as Vice President of Operations overseeing the Optimal Property Management Operating Model (OPMOM) program. The success of this pilot effort to improve basic maintenance and repair service is critical to the management and progress of our NextGeneration NYCHA goals. Ms. Abrams comes to NYCHA from the Newark Housing Authority, where… Read More Congratulations on the Following Recent Appointments and Promotions
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The Mets may not have clinched the World Series, but the Redbirds — Local 237’s softball league comprised of NYCHA employees — won the softball tournament sponsored by the MTA on October 6. NYCHA’s team was invited to join the well-established, 40-year-old league just a few years ago. “After coming in second last year, the… Read More NYCHA Redbirds Win MTA Softball Tournament
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“They call me a legend,” John DeCarlo Memorial Award winner Victor M. Cortes said of colleagues and residents at Monroe Houses, where he has worked as a caretaker for the past 50 years. “I saw three generations growing up here and have never had a problem because I show respect and make friends with everyone,”… Read More NYCHA Notables
Read MoreChair and CEO Shola Olatoye shared an interesting article on public housing with Department of Communications (DOC) staff and others, from this month’s Atlantic magazine. Needless to say, NYCHA is amply discussed. The article, “The Real Power of Public Housing,” will no doubt be included in the news clips that DOC sends out but since… Read More Learning More About Public Housing
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In June, we reported on the newest employee oganization— LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning). Since then, two more employee organizations have entered the scene. In fact, there are so many employee organizations that one of the new ones—the Coalition of NYCHA Employee Organizations (CoNEO)—has been formed to provide all of them with a… Read More Two New Employee Organizations Join the Mix
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Nicole Ferreira rejoined NYCHA in February 2015 as a Senior Director in the Development Department. As a leader of the senior team, Ms. Ferreira oversees the development pipeline and ensures the development process is timely and well-organized. She is also responsible for leading the team to execute NextGerneration NYCHA strategic initiatives for both the preservation… Read More Congratulations on the Following Appointments and Promotions
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As the Broadband Initiatives manager in IT’s Infrastructure Department, Anthony Palermo has been working to provide telecommunications and other services for residents since the TIES (telecommunications, internet, entertainment and security) initiative he began in 2001. Since 2006, the 36-year NYCHA veteran has focused on utilizing existing and providing additional infrastructure for broadband. “NYCHA has been… Read More NYCHA Notables
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Sibyl Colon, formerly Administrator in the Manhattan Management Department, was promoted to Director of the Optimal Property Management Department (OPMOM). Ms. Colon is responsible for ensuring that the decentralized property management model adheres to all of NYCHA’s standard operating procedures and quality standards while streamlining operations. Robert Knapp, formerly Director of the Manhattan Management Department,… Read More Congratulations on the Following Recent Appointments and Promotions
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