Formerly BPCA’s Chief Administrative Officer, Jones Has Served as Acting President Since October 2017
The Board of the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) today voted to appoint Benjamin “B.J.” Jones as President and Chief Executive Officer, a role in which he has been serving in an acting capacity since late last year. Having first joined BPCA in 2014 as Vice President of Administration, B.J. Jones has overseen both internal operations as well as cultural and educational programming in Battery Park City Parks. He has worked to strengthen the Authority’s emergency and continuity of operations planning, streamline operations through initiatives like online event permitting, champion efforts to exceed minority- and women-owned business procurement goals, and to expand and diversify community program offerings – including an increased annual Parks Programming budget and a 60% reduction in membership fees at the Stuyvesant High School Community Center.
“From a much-improved relationship with the local community to greatly increased Parks programming, to our leading, comprehensive climate resiliency efforts, the Battery Park City Authority today is in better shape than ever before,” said BPCA Chairman Dennis Mehiel. “That success is due in no small part to B.J.’s efforts and effectiveness as our Chief Administrative Officer, and the Board and its Members are proud to have such a steady, accomplished hand at the tiller. We’re expecting even greater things to come, and know B.J. will deliver!”
“I’m humbled to serve this community and proud to be part of a dedicated team of professionals who work daily to help make Battery Park City a welcoming, engaging, and resilient neighborhood for people of all ages,” said BPCA President & Chief Executive Officer B.J. Jones. “I thank Governor Cuomo, Chairman Mehiel and the BPCA Board for this meaningful opportunity, and look forward to continuing our work in partnership with the community.”
B.J. Jones brings to the role more than two decades of public sector experience, working in that time on a variety of initiatives to improve customer service, safety, transparency, and accountability in government. After a career in state and local government consulting, Jones joined New York City government during the first term of the Bloomberg Administration, serving in several roles including Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Planning and Implementation at the Department of Buildings and, later, Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office of Operations.
Throughout his tenure he was involved in a number of groundbreaking initiatives, including implementation of the City’s first online permitting system, the first overhaul of the New York City Building Code in nearly four decades, expansion of the City’s job application portal, and providing temporary shelter and housing repairs for victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Jones received his undergraduate degree in Management from Gettysburg College, a Master of Public Administration degree from American University and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a certified Project Management Professional.
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