New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Anthony Shorris, who previously served as First Deputy Mayor in the Bill de Blasio administration, as President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Shorris, currently a partner at the global consulting firm McKinsey & Company, brings extensive government experience, having served as Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and as Deputy Chancellor of the New York City school system, among other roles.
Mamdani stated in an announcement on Wednesday that to achieve true economic justice in the city, the economy must continue to grow, new businesses must be attracted to the five boroughs, and more jobs must be created so that New Yorkers can remain in their city. He described Shorris as a proven leader with decades of experience demonstrating that economic development can and must include the working class. The Mayor looks forward to working closely with him to advance this mission at the EDC, as building a fairer, more resilient economy has always been central to Shorris's work.
Under Shorris's leadership, the EDC is expected to leverage city land, financing, and investments to create more affordable housing in the city, generate further employment, and support small businesses, according to the announcement. During his career spanning over 40 years, Shorris was instrumental in the construction of nearly 200,000 affordable housing units in the city and oversaw approximately 350,000 city employees. Shorris's appointment coincided with the naming of Lina Khan as the new Chair of the EDC Board of Directors. Khan will oversee Shorris's decisions and approve all EDC projects.
James Whelan, President of the Real Estate Board of New York, congratulated Anthony Shorris on his appointment. He described Shorris as a thoughtful, experienced, and effective leader with a deep understanding of New York City's economy and the challenges facing businesses and communities across the five boroughs. Whelan emphasised that at a time when attracting investment and creating jobs is more crucial than ever, Shorris's leadership will be of great benefit to the city.
Shorris's appointment could also be interpreted as an attempt by the Mayor to reassure the city's business leaders, as reported by The New York Times, citing several sources close to the hiring discussions. When Mamdani took office, there were concerns he might undermine the EDC's efforts to encourage private capital investment, which is necessary for building more housing and essential infrastructure improvements in the city. Earlier this year, when Mamdani, a staunch democratic socialist, took office, he circulated a memorandum calling for a restructuring of the EDC to focus on higher quality affordable housing and job creation.
