Mamdani Names Khan and Shorris to Lead City's Economic Development Agency

Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday appointed two prominent figures to lead the city's Economic Development Corporation, tapping former federal antitrust regulator Lina Khan as board chair and longtime city government official Anthony Shorris as the agency's president.

Mamdani announced the appointments at a City Hall press conference. "Today's appointees not only share a vision for the future of this office, but a commitment to executing it," he said.

Shorris, who served as first deputy mayor under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, brings more than four decades of public-sector experience to the role. He previously led the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as executive director and served as deputy chancellor for operations at the city's Department of Education. He also subsequently joined McKinsey & Co. as a partner before accepting the EDC post.

Shorris said the appointment came as something of a surprise. "It is an honor, and a bit of a surprise, to be standing up here with all of you after eight years away from Hall," he said.

The mayor's office said the Shorris-led EDC would use city-owned land, financing and investment to pursue affordable housing construction, job creation, support for small businesses and delivery of public services across all five boroughs.

Khan, who chaired the Federal Trade Commission under President Joe Biden, was also a co-chair of Mamdani's mayoral transition team. As EDC board chair, an unpaid position, Khan will oversee the agency's broad policy direction and approve its projects.

"I know that Tony's experience and expertise can help ensure that EDC is a key vehicle for advancing the mayor's economic agenda," Khan said in a statement.

Mamdani described the pairing as "the economic wonks version of the 1992 Olympic basketball dream team."