Meet Anthony Luciano, Operations Administrator
Nearly 40 years ago, Anthony Luciano began his career at NYCHA as a seasonal employee at Castle Hill Houses, unsure of where the opportunity would take him. Today, he serves as Operations Administrator for Bronx Property Management, helping to oversee daily operations for every development in the borough.
In the Office of the Vice President for Bronx Property Management Operations, Mr. Luciano has served as “the number two in command” for the past three years. His responsibilities include everything from overseeing management, maintenance, skilled trades, and contractors performing work for the Authority to managing contracts and coordinating emergency response. Whether dealing with power outages, water main breaks, or flooding – or preparing developments for extreme weather like coastal storms – he helps ensure staff and residents have the support they need.
The opportunity to help both residents and employees is highly gratifying to Mr. Luciano. “My favorite part of the job is helping the staff on their day-to-day operations and helping residents with any and all issues they have with their living conditions in their apartment,” he said. “I was a resident, so I understand a little bit more about what it’s like living in a NYCHA development.”
Mr. Luciano grew up at Edenwald Houses, where he lived from ages 10 to 18, and his father worked for NYCHA as a Caretaker J.
When he lived at Edenwald, he was inspired by a Maintenance Worker at the development who regularly responded to emergencies late at night and returned the next day for his regular shift.
“That showed me the responsibilities of an employee serving NYCHA residents, and remembering his dedication helped me focus on what I wanted to do in NYCHA,” Mr. Luciano said.
His father also encouraged him to take advantages of the opportunities available at the Authority.
“My dad told me that because I was young and had schooling, and some college, I should use every opportunity to move up in the agency,” Mr. Luciano said.
After serving as a seasonal employee, Mr. Luciano was promoted to Caretaker J. While he was a Caretaker, he’d watch the Castle Hill Superintendent in action because he wanted to know what it would take to get to that level. After completing Heating Plant Technician (HPT) training with Local 237, he was promoted to HPT at Gompers Houses, where he spent six years maintaining and repairing critical building systems.
His career continued to progress as he moved into leadership roles, including as Assistant Superintendent and later Superintendent at Baychester Houses, then Superintendent at Butler Houses and Marble Hill Houses. In total, he spent nearly 13 years as a Superintendent, overseeing day-to-day operations at NYCHA developments.
He then worked as an Administrator for Bronx Property Management, before joining the Emergency Services Department (ESD), where he served for seven years as Administrator and then Deputy Director. Working for ESD gave him the opportunity to coordinate responses to emergencies across the five boroughs and work closely with agencies such as the NYPD, the Fire Department, Con Edison, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the NYC Department of Buildings, and the MTA.
“I liked trying to remedy the situation, getting staff mobilized, and coordinating with other agencies while we addressed emergencies,” he said.
Looking back, Mr. Luciano never imagined where his career at NYCHA would take him. His advice for seasonal employees and Caretakers is simple: “Take advantage of every opportunity NYCHA has available.”
“You don’t have to stay in the same position or work environment; you can always look forward and always look for more. NYCHA has a lot to offer,” he said. Mr. Luciano also encourages employees to seek guidance, stay positive, and take pride in their work.
“Sometimes the work is challenging, but you should be proud of what you do and be dedicated to it,” he said. “People notice good performance, they notice employees coming to work on time and being ready for work. If you stay on that path, things will work out for you.”
