MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS ROBERTO PEREZ AS NEW COMMISSIONER OF THE MAYOR’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS UNIT

 

Perez brings extensive knowledge of the social and political challenges facing communities across New York City 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today appointed Roberto Perez as the new commissioner of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (CAU). With his decades of experience and deep connections throughout New York City, Commissioner Perez will support New York City’s Vaccine for All equity efforts in our hardest hit communities and help deepen the bonds of police and neighborhoods. Perez is returning to CAU where he served as a Deputy Commissioner at the beginning of the de Blasio Administration.    

“This year is about building a recovery for all of us in New York City, and Roberto is going to help lead that effort in neighborhoods across the City,” said Mayor de Blasio. “I’ve known Roberto Perez for years and I’ve seen firsthand how deep his relationships are with communities across this city. Roberto is a true leader who is deeply committed to improving the lives of all New Yorkers, and I’m excited to see him lead the Community Affairs Unit.” 

  

Mayor de Blasio’s State of the City address this year featured a bold community agenda to build a new city where everyone belongs, a city where everyone feels fairness and get the decency they deserve. As CAU commissioner, Perez and his more than twenty staff distributed around the city are tasked with connecting city resources to community members, and helping to build a new city where the recovery is for all of its residents, and especially those living in the communities most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

 

“It's an honor to come back to CAU to lead a group of talented and committed the city workers who are the face and voice of this administration in each part of this city,” said Commissioner Roberto Perez. “One of the mandates of government is to be accessible to people, and we will continue following that mandate every day at our unit to build strengthen our commitment with all New Yorkers.” 

  

Perez is a native New Yorker and has lived in Queens for almost forty years. His professional experience spans to nearly a decade career in government positions where he has cultivated an extensive array of relationships and strategies to bring awareness to critical issues in front of elected officials and community leaders. Perez brings to CAU broad knowledge of the social and political issues impacting different communities throughout New York City.  

 

Perez’s prior position was at the NYC Department of Education where he was Senior Executive Director of Intergovernmental Affairs until recently. Perez will start immediately as CAU commissioner.  “Roberto Perez is a true professional and a dedicated public servant who lives and breathes New York City.  I and my fellow New Yorkers are fortunate to have his talented service as our Commissioner of New York City’s Community Affairs Unit,” said Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. 

 

“I congratulate Roberto Perez on his appointment as Commissioner of the Community Affairs Unit with the Mayor’s Office. Roberto is a professional and caring individual who prioritizes relationship-building and has a lot of credibility with the communities we serve in our city government roles. He has been a pleasure to work with during his time in the State Legislative Affairs unit and under his stewardship my office made significant updates to state law that will result in real wins for New York consumers and workers,” said NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Lorelei Salas.  

 

“Having a high-quality team in the City’s Office of State Legislative Affairs is intrinsic to effectively representing the City’s interests before State government. As director during Mayor de Blasio’s first term, I turned to people like Roberto Perez to join the team and achieve results for New Yorkers. Roberto’s skill set, affable nature, and hard work ethic enhanced the work of the Albany operation. He deftly engaged legislators, committee staff and other stakeholders on the key legislative and budgetary priorities, experience that will undoubtedly serve him well when interacting with the City’s diverse communities as Commissioner of the Community Affairs Unit,” said Department of Finance Commissioner Sherif Solimon. 

“I am pleased to see that Roberto Perez has been appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio to serve as Commissioner for The Community Affairs Unit," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "His years of service to The City of New York working successfully with different government agencies show that he will undoubtedly be a strong advocate and voice for Bronx residents as we work to achieve equity with vaccine distribution and to rebuild our city from this pandemic."