Title: Advisor – Government & Regulatory Practice (Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP )
Favorite Spot in BPC: Regal Battery Park Stadium 11 (Movie Theater)
Born in New York with a stop in northern New Jersey along the way, Reggie Thomas took his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Pace University. His first job after graduation was with then-Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, where he served as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Borough President & Senior Advisor. Reggie later became Director of Legislative & Budget Affairs in the Office of then-Council Member and Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie. As a result of his work in the City Council, Reggie was recognized by the Bloomberg Administration and asked to join the Mayor’s Office of City Legislative Affairs as Legislative Representative.
In March 2013, Reggie was promoted to Deputy Director & Senior Policy Advisor at City Legislative Affairs, where he shepherded various re-zoning projects such as Seward Park, Cornell-Technion, and the Staten Island Ferris Wheel through the approvals process. With the change of Mayoral administrations, Reggie’s insights and experience were so valued that he was asked to continue in Mayor de Blasio’s administration and was later promoted to First Deputy Director of City Legislative Affairs . In this role Reggie worked to build relationships with a largely new City Council and achieve early key administration goals such as a sweeping update to the Air Pollution Code to protect New York City’s air, water, and residents from harmful emissions.
In the fall of 2015, after an exhilarating journey in city government, Reggie joined the team at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP to advocate for non-profits and groups that would like to succeed in New York. One of his clients at the firm is Asphalt Green, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals of all ages and backgrounds achieve health through a lifetime of sports and fitness – and which has a facility located here in Battery Park City. His first day on the job brought another new surprise: He was honored to be asked by Council Member Chin & Manhattan Borough President’s Office to serve on Manhattan Community Board 1. With his history of public service the choice was easy; it’s not only the diversity of the geographical areas of the board that Reggie finds fascinating, it’s simply that after focusing on citywide initiatives for the past seven years he’s eager to work with his neighbor’s to devote more attention on this area he calls home.
When he isn’t working or serving on the community board, Reggie is focusing on his two main hobbies: running and barbeque. In a few weeks, he’ll be participating in the 45th New York City Marathon and is currently training and fundraising for the Fortune Society, a non-profit that supports reentry from and alternatives to incarceration. And when he isn’t running the road, he’s running to the grill. An avid bbq enthusiast, Reggie is hoping to compete in the amateur division of the World BBQ Championships next May. Not only did he invest in a smoker, but he also enrolled in judging seminars so as to gain insight into what the judges look for during competitions. When he isn’t studying BBQ, he loves to go to one of his favorite spots in all of New York City: Pig Beach in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn.
Reggie views Battery Park City as a place of tremendous opportunity for recreation, and a treasure that should be enjoyed by New Yorkers from across the five boroughs. And with that, he welcomes seniors to Chair Yoga on Tuesdays at 10:30AM and Strength, Stretch and Move on Fridays at 10:30AM.
Stretch, Strength & Move
A class designed by Andrew Carter for seniors, portions done in chairs as well as standing. It focuses on increasing a student’s physicality and muscle activation. The class improves not only strength & flexibility but posture, proprioception and balance.
Yoga Basics
Designed for those who have had no exposure to yoga but are eager to learn basic postures, breathing and alignment. A mind body workout that improves energy, circulation and posture, as well as reducing the physical effects of stress.
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