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Félix V. Matos Rodríguez Appointed As New Co-Chair Of New York City Regional Economic Development Council

CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez Will Replace Cheryl A. Moore

The New York City Regional Economic Development Council (NYCREDC) today announced that Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Chancellor, City University of New York has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Council, effective immediately. Chancellor Matos Rodríguez succeeds Cheryl A. Moore, who served as Co-Chair from 2017 and recently moved to London to oversee the research programs of the Wellcome Trust, an international charity and leader in basic research. Chancellor Matos Rodríguez joins Co-Chair Winston Fisher as the NYCREDC continues working to grow the economy in the five boroughs of New York City.

“Félix V. Matos Rodríguez has shown exceptional leadership through his career in public education and recently as Chancellor of the City University of New York,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils. “I’m confident Félix will bring the same energy and commitment to inclusive economic development to this new role, overseeing the allocation of millions of dollars to boost the Downstate economy. New York City will be well-served as Félix joins Winston Fisher to co-chair the economic future of the region.”

Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Chancellor, City University of New York said, “I am honored to be appointed co-chair and look forward to joining my colleagues on the Council in the critical work of moving New York City forward from this horrific pandemic and the devastating human and economic toll it has exacted. Inclusive, equitable economic development will be essential to building back better and stronger.”

NYCREDC Co-Chair Winston Fisher, Partner, Fisher Brothers said, “As we focus our efforts on moving forward from the economic hardships of the pandemic, I am especially glad to welcome Chancellor Matos Rodríguez to the NYCREDC.  His knowledge and expertise will be crucial to the development of our recovery strategy as we build back better and move New York City forward.”

ESD Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “I am excited to welcome Chancellor Matos Rodríguez to the NYCREDC. As we focus on reimagining the economy of the New York City region, Chancellor Matos Rodríguez has the expertise, and diverse and extensive skills to power us into the next decade of the Regional Economic Development Councils. Congratulations on your appointment and thank you to Winston Fisher for his continued service. I look forward working with this leadership and the Council to build a better and brighter future for New York City and the New York State.”

Félix V. Matos Rodríguez became the eighth Chancellor of the City University of New York (CUNY) in May 2019, making him the first educator of color, and the first Latino to lead the nation’s largest urban university. CUNY’s sprawling system comprises 25 campuses with an enrollment of over 275,000 degree-seeking students, over 225,000 adult and continuing education students, and an operating budget of over $3.6 billion.

Matos Rodríguez, is a scholar, teacher, administrator and former Cabinet secretary for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Prior to his appointment as Chancellor, Dr. Matos Rodríguez was president of CUNY’s Queens College from 2014 to 2019 and of CUNY’s Eugenio María de Hostos Community College in the Bronx from 2009 to 2014, making him one of a select few U.S. educators who has led both a baccalaureate and a community college. For more about Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, click here.

The REDC process continues to improve the State's approach to economic development, creating regional strategies for bottom-up, economic growth and streamlining the State funding application process. To date, through the REDC competition, more than $6.9 billion has been awarded to more than 8,300 job creation and community development projects consistent with each region's strategic plans, which project to create and retain more than 240,000 jobs statewide. To date, through the REDC competition, the NYC Region has been awarded $615.9 million for 819 projects. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov. To learn more about the NYCREDC, visit https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/new-york-city.

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