Jersey City Taps Woman Who Served 4 NYC Mayors As Business Administrator

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A woman who served in four New York City mayoral administrations will now cross the river to help steer New Jersey's second largest city.

Ruby B. Choi, who lives in Jersey City, was appointed this week by Mayor James Solomon as the city's business administrator.

She'll take the spot May 4, said a release from the city.

Choi will oversee the day-to-day operations of city government, manage departments, and help deliver services to more than 280,000 residents.

She brings 16 years of senior leadership experience in New York City, with work focused on technology modernization, strategic planning, operational reform and service delivery improvement, an announcement said.

"Jersey City deserves a city government that is efficient, responsive, and works for working people, and Ruby Choi is exactly the leader to help us build it," said Solomon. "She has spent her career making government work better — whether that means modernizing how residents access services, managing complex reform efforts, or bringing rigorous strategic planning to large organizations. I'm thrilled to welcome her to our team."

Choi most recently served as deputy commissioner of strategic initiatives at the New York City Office of Technology and Innovation. She helmed an emerging technology strategy in an administration with more than 6,000 IT employees and $7 billion in major technology projects.

She was serving as acting chief technology officer in January, after her supervisor stepped down.

Choi previously served as an assistant commissioner at the New York City Police Department, where she established the department's first Project Management Office and Change Management Office.

"I've spent my career in public service because I believe government can and should work well, while improving the quality of life for the people it serves," Choi said. "Jersey City is my home, and I'm honored to bring everything I've learned to this role."

Solomon also thanked Interim Business Administrator Peter Horton, who the city said will continue to serve as an assistant business administrator.