Brings to Role Nearly Two Decades of Experience in Housing, Infrastructure, Transportation, and the Arts
The Battery Park City Authority today announced the appointment of Raju Mann as President and Chief Executive Officer. In this role, President and CEO Mann will be responsible for leading the Authority’s approximately 180 employees across a range of departments and functions including horticulture, maintenance, legal, finance, human resources, administration, real property, parks programming, community engagement, and more. Working closely with the BPCA Board and leadership team he will ensure the daily operations of the organization are carried out efficiently and effectively and that the Authority’s strategic plan goals are supported, achieved, and measured. Raju was appointed by unanimous consent at this morning’s meeting of the BPCA Board, and succeeds BJ Jones, who left the Authority in July after serving in the role since 2018. Raju will begin his work at BPCA on December 11, 2023.
“After a thorough search led by Board Member Louis Bevilacqua, the BPCA Board is proud to appoint Raju Mann to lead the stellar team of professionals that works daily to make and keep Battery Park City a neighborhood that’s second-to-none,” said Battery Park City Authority Chairman Donald Capoccia. “The Authority’s now at a critical juncture as it helps shape the future of lower Manhattan, and in Raju we have identified the right mix of acumen, skill, and experience to drive this essential work.”
“I’m honored by the opportunity to join an incredible organization that for decades now has set the standard for successful, mixed-use, sustainable urban development,” said Battery Park City Authority President & CEO Raju Mann. “From coastal resiliency and sustainable green practices to the preservation of affordable housing, world-class public art, and vibrant, year-round programming in award-winning public spaces, Battery Park City leads the way in many of the measures that makes cities livable. I look forward to working with the extraordinary BPCA team, our elected officials, and our neighbors to tackle the shared challenges we face. From a planner’s perspective, this is an opportunity like no other – and I can’t wait to get started.”
“I am excited to hear that the board of the Battery Park City Authority has selected Raju Mann, an incredibly talented and exceptionally qualified individual, as their new President and CEO,” said Congressman Dan Goldman. Raju brings a diverse set of experiences that I am certain will help to amplify the great work of the Battery Park City Authority. I look forward to working with Raju and the rest of the leadership and staff at the Battery Park City Authority to serve our Lower Manhattan community.”
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Raju Mann, who brings a wealth of experience to his new role as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Battery Park City Authority,” said State Senator Brian Kavanagh, who represents Battery Park City. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Battery Park City Authority, community leaders, and residents to develop ways to make our waterfront and the Battery Park City Development more resilient on efforts to sustain, protect, and enhance the vibrancy and diversity of the Battery Park City community.”
“On behalf of Community Board 1, I am pleased to congratulate Raju Mann on his appointment and welcome him to the neighborhood,” said Tammy Meltzer, Chair of Manhattan Community Board One. “Mr. Mann’s career in government and expertise in urban planning and community development make him a great fit to lead BPCA at this pivotal time. As we continue to foster a thriving and resilient community in Battery Park City, effective and transparent communication remains a cornerstone of our collaborative efforts. With Mr. Mann, the community board looks forward to maintaining and strengthening our open lines of dialogue with BPCA to ensure that the voices and needs of our community are heard and integrated into the fabric of our neighborhood’s future. We are confident that with Mr. Mann’s expertise, this partnership will be marked by mutual respect, shared goals, and a commitment to the betterment of our community as we seek to ensure affordability for residents, small businesses and continue to develop and implement the groundbreaking resiliency projects that will protect our city while maintaining Battery Park City’s unique character for future generations.”
Raju Mann is an urban planner who has worked on planning, housing, parks, and infrastructure challenges for almost 20 years in New York City. He joins BPCA from design and engineering firm Arup, where he was an Associate Principal and the City Planning Leader for the East Coast working on transportation, housing policy, and climate adaptation projects. Prior to Arup, Raju was the Director of Land Use and Deputy Chief of Staff for the New York City Council, where he led a team of planners and lawyers working with Council Members, City agencies, and communities to develop planning strategies for neighborhoods across New York City.
Raju grew up in Morningside Heights and now lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Johanna Peet. He received his BA in Philosophy from Columbia University and his MA in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan. He is a board member of MoMA PS1 and on the advisory board of the New York Housing Conference.
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