Kay's departure as director of the Mayor's Office of Operationswas announced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Muss Development,which is based in Forest Hills. "I've often said, [Kay] is one ofthe unsung heroes of our administration," Mayor Bloomberg says."For so many of our key programs, if you look behind the scenes,you will often find that [Kay]was a major force in making thoseinitiatives a reality. New Yorkers have a city government thatsimply runs better, in no small part due to the programs andinitiatives [Kay] has developed and led."

Muss Development officials say that as COO, Kay will spearheadand coordinate efforts for both ongoing operations and newdevelopment opportunities. Kay, who serves on the board ofdirectors of the MTA, will also be responsible for government andcommunity relations for Muss Development and succeeds James Whelan,who recently joined the Real Estate Board of New York to take on asimilar role there.

"Muss Development is extremely fortunate to have someone withthe 'can do' attitude and experience that Jeff possesses," statesJoshua Muss, principal of Muss Development. "His background ingovernment operations and natural ability to communicate with thepublic will be a tremendous asset in the future growth of ourfirm."