Maria Torres-Springer, a veteran of NYC government, represents a first for the Economic Development Corp—she’ll be the first woman to lead the quasi-public agency. Mayor de Blasio, a political leader who is always seeking to increase the diversity in city government, chose Maria, formerly commissioner of the city Department of Small Business Services, for the new post, the city confirmed on Monday, according to Crain’s New York Business. Maria, a Filipino-American who previously served as both chief of staff and executive vice president at EDC, will replace outgoing agency president Kyle Kimball, who left for a new gig at Con Edison. “Maria has a proven track record of opening doors for New Yorkers and working closely with businesses to grow our economy,” de Blasio said in a statement. During her tenure at SBS, Maria worked to cut back on the nuisance fines the city gives to merchants and to boost the results of city-sponsored workforce-training programs. She's pledged to "strengthen our city’s competitive position while delivering quality jobs, livable neighborhoods and real opportunity for all New Yorkers." [Crain's]