SE Queens native named Association for a Better New York CEO
Congressman
Gregory W. Meeks
5th Congressional District of New York
@GregMeeksNYC @GregMeeksNYC @GregMeeksNYC
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | SEPT. 4-SEPT. 10, 2020 5
BY BILL PARRY
She was a key figure in the
launch of the Jamaica NOW
Action Plan and the Western
Queens Tech Strategic Plan
and now Melva Miller has been
selected as the first-ever Chief
Executive Officer of The Association
for a Better New York
(ABNY) bringing her talents to
all five boroughs.
Under Miller’s leadership,
ABNY will build upon its legacy
of civic leadership across
the public and private sectors
to partner with a broader and
more diverse group of New Yorkers
through strategic planning,
coalition building and concrete
actions to advance a better New
York.
“In this moment, our city
is once again at a time of great
uncertainty and I’m looking forward
to working with ABNY’s
Chairman Steven Rubenstein,
our board of directors and our
entire ABNY community to
play a significant role in shaping
the future for the better,”
Miller said. “There are no easy
solutions. However, the work of
ABNY has long been one of helping
bring about positive change,
especially when times have
been tough.”
ABNY is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to the constant
growth and renewal of New
York City’s people, businesses
and communities.
“Our city’s recovery and economic
growth requires the input
and participation of all New
Yorkers, and through this work,
ABNY will ensure New York
City continues to be a hub of
innovation, financial strength
and human capital that will
lead the charge for a more just,
equitable and inclusive city,”
Miller added.
The lifelong resident of
southeast Queens held several
senior economic development
roles throughout her career including
founding executive director
of the Sutphin Boulevard
Business Improvement District
before serving as the director
of economic development for the
Queens borough president’s office
starting in 2007. Miller succeeded
former Deputy Borough
President Leroy Comrie when
he was elected to the state Senate
in 2015.
Former Borough President
Melinda Katz called economic
development a key priority of
her agenda for Queens and came
to rely on Miller’s expertise.
“As director of economic development
within the Queens
borough president’s office, and
then as deputy borough president,
Melva Miller brought vision
and forethought to enhancing
economic development in
Queens and making sure that
the borough is a driver of New
York City’s economy,” said Katz,
who is now the Queens district
attorney. “Just as important,
she put effective mechanisms
in place to ensure that ambitious
initiatives would flourish.
Her laser-like focus on neighborhoods
such as Jamaica and
Long Island City enhanced the
entire city’s economic well-being.
That’s the experience and
expertise she brings to her new
role as chief executive officer of
ABNY.”
In addition, Miller was executive
director of KECDE!, a
nonprofit dedicated to bringing
the arts to community youth
through dance and as project
director for the Downtown Jamaica
Cultural District and a
community organizer for the
Laurelton Local Development
Corporation.
“Melva Miller is one of the
most competent and committed
people I’ve had the pleasure
to work alongside in addressing
the challenges our communities
face,” Congressman
Gregory Meeks said. “She has
not only demonstrated an exceptional
ability to get the job done
throughout her years of service
to our city, she has bridged communities
together and built
coalitions around our shared
goals as New Yorkers. I congratulate
ABNY on finding an
excellent chief executive officer
in Melva.”
Miller stepped down as deputy
Queens borough president in
2018 when she was hired to lead
ABNY’s Census 2020 efforts.
“Melva has proven herself to
be a wise, dedicated and effective
leader, and one of our city’s
foremost advocates,” ABNY
Chairman Steven Rubenstein
said. “This has been a hard year
for our city. But with leaders like
Melva, whose passion, compassion
and efficacy are what we
need right now, we will emerge
a stronger community.”
Former Deputy Queens Borough President Melva Miller was named
first-ever CEO on the Association for a Better New York. QNS/File
– Paid for and authorized by Friends for Gregory Meeks –
/QNS.COM
