Roosevelt Island To Be Led By New CEO Following Board Vote

ROOSEVELT ISLAND, NY — The state-run corporation that controls Roosevelt Island has named a new leader: Shelton J. Haynes, who had already led the organization on an interim basis since last summer.

Haynes was named Tuesday as the permanent President and CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), following a vote by the group's board of directors. He had been interim president since June.

The RIOC was created by the state in the 1980s, charged with managing the island's tramway, bus system, Public Safety Department and other infrastructure to serve its roughly 10,000 residents.

Haynes had previously served as chief operating officer of an Atlanta-area housing authority, later holding the same role at the RIOC starting in 2016.

His achievements on Roosevelt Island include growing the RIOC's capital program from $4.5 million annually to more than $14.5 million, spent on projects including the Blackwell House renovation and a seawall realing replacement.

We’re happy to announce that, in an effort to safely reopen our community in accordance with state health guidelines, a COVID-19 rapid testing site at 524 Main Street will open on Wednesday, January 20that 9 AM. For more info, visit https://t.co/Taf2OXZGEo pic.twitter.com/tV2UofLVFB
— RIOC NYS (@RIOCny) January 18, 2021

"I’m honored by the opportunity to serve such a diverse, engaged and passionate community alongside a team of extremely dedicated and talented group of professionals," Haynes said in a statement.

"I thank Governor Cuomo, RIOC Board Chair, RuthAnne Visnauskas, and the RIOC Board of Directors for this humbling opportunity. I look forward to enhancing the quality of life on Roosevelt Island and providing exceptional service to the community that we serve."