Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced significant appointments within his administration on Wednesday, naming Julia Kerson as the new Deputy Mayor for Operations and Mike Flynn as the new commissioner of the Department of Transportation (DOT). These leadership changes are expected to enhance the management of critical city services, including transportation, environmental protection, and public safety.
Kerson, who currently serves as a deputy to the state director of operations, brings extensive experience to her new role. She has a proven track record in managing housing, economic development, energy, environment, and transportation departments. Previously, Kerson played a crucial role at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), where she contributed to significant projects such as Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway. During the pandemic, she was part of the city’s COVID-19 Response Team, where she established a hotel program for healthcare workers and managed contracts for hotel operations.
In her new position, Kerson will oversee several key departments, including the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Sanitation, and New York City Emergency Management. Mayor Mamdani emphasized the need for experienced leadership to tackle pressing issues such as climate change and affordable public services. He stated, “To deliver safe roads, clean streets, and fast buses, we need a Deputy Mayor of Operations who is experienced, hungry, and tireless in the pursuit of public excellence.”
Mike Flynn is expected to take over as the new DOT commissioner, succeeding Ydanis Rodriguez. Flynn is known for his involvement with the Riders Alliance, a prominent advocacy group focused on improving public transit in New York City. His appointment signals a commitment to enhancing community engagement and addressing the needs of transit users.
Betsy Plum, executive director of the Riders Alliance, expressed enthusiasm for the new appointments, stating that they will foster a collaborative approach to transit safety and affordability. “This moment calls for a new way of engaging communities, one rooted in real organizing, where New Yorkers are partners in shaping bold, city-defining investments that make our neighborhoods safer, more affordable, and more connected,” Plum remarked.
Plum also highlighted the importance of prioritizing initiatives such as free bus services. “Fast and free buses can’t be an aspiration tucked behind competing priorities. They must be the measure of success. A city that works for bus riders is a city that works for everyone,” she added, emphasizing the need for accountability in delivering reliable transit services.
These announcements follow Mamdani’s appointment of Kamar Samuels, superintendent of Manhattan’s District 3, as chancellor of the city’s public schools on December 31, 2023. The mayor’s transition team has been approached for further comments regarding Flynn’s appointment and its implications for the city’s transit future.
With these strategic appointments, Mamdani aims to address the challenges facing New York City, ensuring that operational leadership is aligned with the administration’s goals of improving infrastructure and enhancing community engagement.