NEW YORK CITY—Mayor Bill de Blasio has named Rick Chandler, anengineer, as commissioner of the Department of Buildings. Anassistant VP of facilities at Hunter College, Chandler brings yearsof large-scale management experience and deep expertise in thebuilding code and zoning resolution, according to the city.

Chandler served as a borough commissioner of Queens, Brooklyn,and the Bronx from 1995-2002. As commissioner, he will be taskedwith ensuring the safe and lawful use of more than 975,000buildings and properties in New York City by enforcing the BuildingCode, Electrical Code, Zoning Resolution, and state labor law andmultiple dwelling law.

“I could not be more humbled,” says Chandler of the appointment.“The stakes of this work are incredibly high. We're there to makesure New Yorkers' homes and workplaces are safe. We're there tohelp get more affordable housing and job-creating constructionunderway. We're going to advance those priorities safely,responsibly and fairly for all New Yorkers.”