B.J. Jones To Be Appointed President/CEO Of The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) will announce shortly that B.J. Jones

will be named the new President and Chief Executive Officer of RIOC. Mr Jones was the President and CEO of the Battery Park City Authority from 2018 – 2023 and in June 2023 was appointed by NYC Mayor Eric Adams as the Executive Director of Making New York Work For Everyone.

Here’s Mr Jones speaking about the “New” NY Plan

and his role as President of the Battery Park City Authority.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more information.

UPDATE 4:30 PM – According to a RIOC Press Release this afternoon:

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) today announced B.J. Jones has been selected by the RIOC Board of Directors to serve as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of the corporation. Jones will be formally appointed by the RIOC Board in September. 

The former President and CEO of the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA), Jones has more than 30 years of professional experience in city and state government, including 22 years serving in high-level roles across New York City. He was chosen by the RIOC Board following a long and thorough search through an executive search firm.

Jones currently serves in the New York City Mayor’s Office of Policy and Planning as Executive Director, focused on implementation of the Making New York Work for Everyone Action Plan, an initiative aimed at strengthening the city’s economy, improving affordability, and enhancing quality of life for residents. 

Jones joined the Mayor’s Office in 2023 after nine years with BPCA, including over five years as President and CEO. While at BPCA, he managed a $350 million budget and oversaw a staff of 180 employees focused on maintaining and enhancing the Battery Park City neighborhood in Lower Manhattan. Jones led the development of the Authority’s first strategic plan; launched a more than $1 billion investment in coastal resiliency measures to protect the neighborhood from severe storms; extended affordable housing protections; diversified and expanded free parks programming and public art; and expanded the Authority’s emphasis on sustainability.

“I’m grateful to Governor Hochul and the Board of Directors for this incredible opportunity and thank Mayor Adams and his administration for the privilege to work with so many dedicated public servants to help ignite the city’s economic recovery,” said Incoming President and CEO B.J. Jones. “I’m looking forward to joining RIOC’s talented team, engaging with the community, and partnering with local organizations to help shape the island’s next chapter.”

“There is no doubt that Roosevelt Island will be in good hands with B.J. Jones at the helm of RIOC,” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “With more than three decades of public service and an exemplary record of success throughout his career, B.J. is the right person to lead RIOC into a new era of innovation while staying true to its mission of responsible, community-focused development. We look forward to working in concert with B.J. to deliver meaningful results for New Yorkers for years to come.”

Here’s Mr Jones speaking on the importance of Public Art

and hurricane resiliency efforts

when he was the President of Battery Pack City Authority.