GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES ADMINISTRATION NOMINATIONS
Kevin Law Will Be Nominated as a Director of the Urban Development Corporation and will be designated Chair of the UDC
Hope Knight Will Be Nominated as Commissioner of The Department of Economic Development and President and CEO of Empire State Development
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced nominations for roles at the Urban Development Corporation, Empire State Development, and the Department of Economic Development. Kevin Law will be nominated as a Director of the Urban Development Corporation and will be designated Chair of the UDC and Hope Knight will be nominated as Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development and President and CEO of Empire State Development.
“After the devastating impact the pandemic had on New York’s economy, we need the best of the best at the helm to lead our recovery,” Governor Hochul said. “With their extensive experience and diverse backgrounds, Hope Knight and Kevin Law are ready to lead New York’s economic development in communities and cities across the state and bring our economy back stronger than ever before.”
Kevin Law will be nominated as Director of the Urban Development Corporation and will be designated Chair of the UDC. He is a Partner and Executive Vice President at Tritec Real Estate Development Company where he is part of the leadership team and Chairs the firms Affordable Housing Team. Mr. Law has been the co-chair of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council for the past ten years. His efforts are focused on revitalizing Long Island downtowns and increasing the amount of workforce housing in the region. Previously, Law was President and CEO of the Long Island Association (LIA) where he was a key strategist and advocate on all matters impacting Long Island and its business community. He helped secure more than $5 billion in infrastructure investments for the Long Island region. Prior to his tenure at the LIA, Law was President and CEO of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), the second-largest public utility in the country. Law launched the largest energy efficiency program for any public utility in the country, procured the largest solar energy project in New York State, created an offshore wind collaborative with Con Edison and the New York Power Authority and introduced “smart meters” to the region. Law previously served as Chief Deputy County Executive for Suffolk County and was the Managing Partner of the Long Island office of Nixon Peabody LLP, an international law firm. Law serves as Chairman of the Stony Brook University Council and serves on the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). He is also the Chairman of the Long Island Housing Partnership and Chairman of Accelerate Long Island. Law hold an AA degree from Suffolk County Community College, a B.A. from SUNY, Stony Brook University, an M.S. from the Graduate School of Urban Affairs and Planning at CUNY, Hunter College and a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Law will assume the role of Chair upon confirmation by the Senate.
Hope Knight will be nominated as Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development and President and CEO of Empire State Development (ESD). Ms. Knight has served as President & CEO of Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) since 2015. In that capacity she has advanced the economic growth, community-building, and sustainable real estate development that has immeasurably revitalized and strengthened the Southeast Queens region. Ms. Knight also serves on the New York City Planning Commission, as a Commissioner. Prior to leading GJDC, she was Chief Operating Officer of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone overseeing over $150 million in investments, leveraging over $1 billion in private capital, and working on projects such as the East River Plaza, Potamkin East Harlem and the Victoria Theater & Hotel. She also served as Vice President at Morgan Stanley in the Institutional Equities Division, U.S. and as Vice President of Strategic Planning and E-Commerce, Morgan Stanley, Japan. Earlier in her career, Ms. Knight worked at Accenture and in New York City government. Ms. Knight serves on a number of boards, these organizations include: Regional Plan Association (Vice Chair), TruFund Financial (Vice Chair), Grameen America, Morgan Stanley Community Development Advisory Board, East Harlem Tutorial Program and Jack and Jill of America Foundation (Treasurer). She is also the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Trustees of Marymount Manhattan College and was a member of ABNY’s 2020 Census Organizing and Action Committee. Ms. Knight holds a BA from Marymount Manhattan College and an MBA from the Graduate School of Business of the University of Chicago. Ms. Knight will serve as Acting Commissioner, President and CEO until confirmation by the Senate.
