Mayor de Blasio Appoints Roberto Perez As New Commissioner Of As New Commissioner

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 represent 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, an 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 congratulate Roberto on his appointment, and I know he will work tirelessly to address the needs of our communities citywide,” said School Construction Authority President and CEO Lorraine Grillo. “I’ve worked with Roberto on several legislative initiatives to support our MWBE contractors.  He is a dedicated professional who will ensure vaccines are distributed equitably as we all work to eradicate this pandemic from our wonderful city.”

“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.”

“I would like to congratulate Roberto Perez on his appointment to become the new commissioner of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit. Not only does he bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, but he is a Queens native so we know he will get the job done,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. “With Roberto’s guidance, I know our local communities will be on the road to recovery from COVID-19. Throughout my years of contacting Roberto on various community issues, I always appreciated his professionalism and responsive nature, which is critical to the mission of the Community Assistance Unit. I wish Roberto and his staff much success. I look forward to continuing our work together for the benefit of our residents.”

“Congratulations to my good friend Roberto Perez on being appointed as Commissioner of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit. I can’t think of anyone who is more deserving of this appointment. Roberto has dedicated his career to ensuring that the needs are met for all communities across the city. He has always been able to deliver assistance and results in a professional and timely manner. He has developed meaningful and impactful relationships with elected officials and the communities they serve. I am excited to work with Roberto in this new capacity, and I am sure that he will continue to make incredible accomplishments.” State Senator Jamaal Bailey.

“Roberto Perez has been a great ally to communities across our city, and Queens is proud to see one of our own named Commissioner of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit,” said State Senator Jessica Ramos. “Congratulations, Roberto! I look forward to working with you throughout your tenure.”

“It’s going to be my honor to call my friend ‘Commissioner Perez’. I firmly believe the City and children of NYC are fortunate to have an individual who cares, is extraordinarily competent and intelligent, and has the leadership skills necessary to deal with the issues of race, discrimination, and quality education for the children of NYC. Congratulations, Roberto!” said Assembly Member Charles Barron.

“Roberto Perez is the complete public servant: dedicated, competent, and smart plus he’s a good guy. It’s nice to know that ability sometimes gets recognized,” said Assembly Member Michael Benedetto.

“Roberto Perez is a dedicated and results-oriented public servant. Mr. Perez knows how to solve problems and navigate the complex workings of our City and State governments. His unique skills make him perfectly suited to be the Commissioner of the Community Affairs Unit – I am confident he will make our City a better place. Congrats Roberto and I can’t wait to work with you to help New York recover from the Covid-19 crisis,” said Assembly Member Robert Carroll.

“I would like to congratulate Roberto Perez on his newly appointed position as the new commissioner of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit. Roberto is a very passionate and dedicated worker who truly cares about the well-being of others. During his time in the NYC Education Department, he fought for strong policies that aimed to bring resources to uplift communities. His work ethic and bearing hold truth that he will be a valuable asset in bringing the same skills and devotion to the table,” said Assemblywoman Maritza Davila.

“I applaud Mayor de Blasio’s decision to appoint Roberto Perez as the next Commissioner of the Community Affairs Unit. Having spent years with Roberto in shared public service, I know that he has what it takes to connect New York City’s communities with the government that is there to serve them. Roberto is a capable, energetic and honorable public servant, and the perfect choice for this important position.” said Assembly Member Simcha Eichenstein.

“I worked closely with Roberto Perez during my time in CAU. He is passionate and committed to ensuring all communities throughout the city are heard and receive the necessary services. I commend the Mayor for appointing Mr. Perez as Commissioner of CAU,” said Assembly Member Charles D. Fall.

“I don’t know a better person within the Mayor’s office that has the exceptional commitment and follow-through skills like Roberto Perez,” said Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman. “In his new role, I am certain he will use his responsiveness to lift up communities across the City of New York.”

“The word community should mean listening and learning from New Yorkers. That defines all my experiences with Roberto Perez, who I have known since he had a community radio show at LaGuardia Community College.  He led people through listening to them, deeply and always with compassion and a love of New York.  Congratulations on an appointment well earned,” said Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan.

“I applaud the Mayor for selecting Roberto Perez as the Commissioner of the Community Affairs Unit. Having worked with Mr. Perez for many years while he was with the Department of Education, I know he will be terrific in this new role” said Assembly Member David Weprin. “Roberto Perez has the knowledge and expertise to make a meaningful impact with the Vaccine For All initiative.”

“Congratulations to Roberto Perez on his new role in the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit. I have no doubt that Roberto’s expertise and experience will be invaluable to our city’s vaccination efforts, criminal justice reform initiatives, and our economic recovery. I look forward to working with him to build a better, more equitable city as we recover from the pandemic,” said NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

“Roberto and I have spent many years in the trenches together, so I can tell you from experience that there is no better fighter for New Yorkers,” said Council Member Justin Brannan. “Roberto understands the needs of each of New York’s diverse communities and has the capacity to ensure that the important and unique voice of every neighborhood gets heard in City Hall. I congratulate Roberto for this well-deserved appointment.”

“I am especially pleased that Roberto Perez, a former student of mine at PS 199Q has been appointed to serve as commissioner of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit,” said NYC Council Finance Chair Daniel Dromm. “Commissioner Perez brings years of experience to CAU. I have had the pleasure of working closely with him throughout my tenure in the Council. I know Commissioner Perez will excel in this new position of leadership.  He is the consummate professional and is dedicated to uplifting all of NYC’s diverse communities, particularly the underserved.  I applaud Mayor de Blasio for making this excellent appointment.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Roberto since his days at the Perez Notes at LaGuardia Community College,” said Council Member Costa Constantinides. “He is a dyed-in-the-wool Queens guy who has worked tirelessly to solve problems in our communities. I look forward to working closely with him in his new role at the Community Affairs Unit.”

“Having had the pleasure of working with Roberto Perez for several years in his various capacities at CAU, DOE, and SCA, I’ve seen first-hand his leadership and responsiveness to the needs and values of communities of color. Utilizing his vast policy knowledge and decades of experience serving New Yorkers, Roberto will no doubt serve well in his new role as Commissioner. I offer my congratulations and look forward to working together in this new capacity as we seek to promote vaccine equity and rebuild a fairer City for all,” said Council Member I. Daneek Miller, Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus.

“As a resident of one of the most diverse places in the world and with the neighborhoods hardest hit by this pandemic, Roberto Perez will bring firsthand government experience to support our COVID recovery and vaccination efforts. I congratulate Roberto on his appointment and look forward to partnering with him in his role as Community Affairs Unit Commissioner,” said Council Member Francisco Moya.

“I have been working with Roberto Perez in the many roles he has played in City government. He has shown himself to be a proven leader with the heart and the skills needed to play an important role in his new position,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. “He has been incredibly instrumental at the DOE and I know that he will serve his new role as Commissioner of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit with distinction. I am also confident that he will play a key role as Commissioner, ensuring the role-out of the vaccine is equitable and impartial for all New Yorkers.”

“I have been working with Roberto Perez in the many roles he has played in City government. He has shown himself to be a proven leader with the heart and the skills needed to play an important role in his new position,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. “He has been incredibly instrumental at the DOE and I know that he will serve his new role as Commissioner of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit with distinction. I am also confident that he will play a key role as Commissioner, ensuring the role-out of the vaccine is equitable and impartial for all New Yorkers.”

“As Chair of the Education Committee, I’ve worked directly with Roberto Perez during his tenure at the DOE and I can assert that Mr. Perez was always accessible and responsive to issues and concerns that I’ve raised. It is that high level of commitment and responsiveness that uniquely equips Mr. Perez to serve in his new role as Commissioner of the Community Affairs Unit. I commend Mayor de Blasio on this decision and wish Commissioner Perez continued success,” said Council Member Mark Treyger.

“Community Affairs is about being attuned to the needs and desires of all the communities that make this dynamic City great. From the Rockaways to Williamsburg, from Tomkinsville to Alphabet City, and from Woodhaven to Kingsbridge you have to know it all, the people and the places. That describes Roberto. As a true New Yorker who loves this City, Roberto knows New York, and the people who call this City home, like few others.  I was lucky enough to have him on my team in the beginning and I couldn’t imagine a better choice,” said former Community Affairs Commissioner Marco A. Carrión.

“We congratulate Roberto Perez on this important appointment,” said Javier H. Valdés, co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York. “From his days in Woodside to the work that we have done together while at the Department of Education and Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, Roberto has been a strong partner, always listening to the community and bringing that perspective to shaping and implementing policy.”

The Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (CAU) is the fundamental connection between City Hall and New York City residents throughout the five boroughs. The primary mission of CAU is to establish deep partnerships with communities in order to actively engage and mobilize New Yorkers in the City government. To this end, CAU is directly responsible for integrating government into communities by working with Mayoral agencies to ensure the effective and efficient deployment of government services and the Mayor’s top policy priorities and initiatives.