Building Congress CEO Won't Be Joining Adams Administration

Carlo Scissura, who was widely expected to join Mayor Eric Adams' administration as the head of the city’s Economic Development Corp., isn't making the leap into public service after all.

Scissura, the CEO of the New York Building Congress, told The City in a statement he is staying on at the organization, and that he is “thrilled” to do so.

“This is the best way that I can serve the people of our city and state at this crucial time, to guarantee we build reliable mass transit, schools, open spaces and other crucial infrastructure that moves New York forward,” he said in the statement.

Scissura was getting set to be tapped to lead EDC, it was reported in January, but that was before The City published a story about his work for a real estate developer with government agencies regarding an affordable housing project in Queens — without registering as a lobbyist with the city or the state.

The Adams administration stepped up its investigation into Scissura’s suitability for the role in light of the story, per the City.

Rachel Loeb is currently leading the EDC, but has said she won't be continuing in the role. On Monday, Adams announced two new economic development appointments in Vilda Vera Mayuga, who is taking the role of commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and Jose Ortiz Jr. as senior adviser for workforce development. 

Former executive director of the Citizens Housing Planning Council Jessica Katz has been appointed to a new city role of chief housing officer, and Adolfo Carrión Jr. will serve as commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

The real estate industry has expressed optimism about Adams' positions on its most pressing issues, but the pressure is on him and Gov. Kathy Hochul to deliver solutions to the city's housing crisis.