Chief Business Diversity Officer Michael Garner introduces himself and his team
Michael J. Garner, the city's first Chief Business and Diversity Officer, introduces his background at the School Construction Authority and MTA. He appears with First Deputy Chief Business Diversity Officer Dwight Flynn, MOCS, and SBS colleagues to discuss the MWBE program.
Great.
Good morning, Chair Ressler and proposed bill sponsors, Fariz Hanif and Epstein.
My name is Michael J.
Garner, and I serve as the city's first ever chief business and diversity officer.
It is a pleasure to engage with you on all of our shared commitment to the advancement of the city's MWB program and to the health of the overall MWBE community.
As someone who has served a significant portion of my career advancing MWBE programming, first at the New York City School Construction Authority for 15 years and at the MTA for 15 years, and now at the City of New York, I'm honored to be here.
Representing our program and City Hall along with my first deputy chief business diversity officer Dwight Flynn.
Also my colleagues at the Office of Contract Services, MOX, and the New York City Department of Small Business Services.
Considering our shared commitments towards continuous programmatic and policy improvement,
to the city's MWB program.
I am also here to share some of the great work that we have produced over the past three years, as well as to provide answers to the council's committee questions along with my MOX and SBS colleagues.
As such,
I would like to preface that my intent today is to respond to the contract of committee's questions and to the best of my knowledge.
However, we would be more than happy to schedule briefings with your respective offices to discuss matters raised today in need of other comments and information.
Since my time as the Chief Business Diversity Officer, we've achieved key MWBE successes and meaningful accomplishments that I would like to share with you today.