Mamdani picking Hochul infrastructure adviser as top operations deputy: sources
Share this @internewscast.com


Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is poised to appoint Julia Kerson, an infrastructure adviser to Governor Hochul, as his chief operations deputy at City Hall, according to information obtained by the Daily News.

Furthermore, Mamdani is anticipated to reveal his choice for the Department of Transportation commissioner on Wednesday. Insiders suggest that Mike Flynn, a seasoned transit specialist and former agency employee, is a strong contender for the position.

The announcements are expected to be made during a Wednesday afternoon press conference in Manhattan. During this event, Mamdani is also likely to introduce Kamar Samuels as his selection for schools chancellor.

Representatives for Mamdani were unavailable for immediate comment. Kerson could not be reached for remarks, and Flynn, who has participated in Mamdani’s transition team on the transportation committee, did not respond to messages.

These appointments come as Mamdani prepares to take office as the city’s 112th mayor at the stroke of midnight on Wednesday.

The roles of schools chancellor, operations deputy mayor, and Department of Transportation commissioner are among the most prominent appointments in city governance, adding a layer of suspense to Mamdani’s last-minute decisions.

The DOT and deputy mayor for operations appointments are also uniquely important for Mamdani, who promised during the mayoral campaign to make the city’s public buses fast and free.

While the buses themselves are controlled by the state-run Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Department of Transportation — which is overseen by the deputy mayor for operations — is responsible for the city’s streets, including the construction of busways meant to make public transit faster.

Busway construction has fallen short of mandated thresholds under outgoing Mayor Adams’ administration, and Mamdani vowed on the campaign trail to turn the tide on that trend.

In Kerson and Flynn, Mamdani is signaling he will lean on veteran infrastructure and transit hands to help him implement his agenda.

Kerson has served as the deputy director of infrastructure under Hochul since April 2024. Prior to Hochul’s administration, she worked at the MTA in a senior role and, before that, served in a variety of posts in the office of the deputy mayor for operations in the de Blasio administration.

Flynn is also a veteran of the agency he could now be in line to lead, having worked as the Department of Transportation in a variety of capacities, mostly under ex-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, leaving the agency in June 2014 as its director of capital planning. Since then, he has been working in various senior roles at TYLin, a global engineering and infrastructure advisory firm that works with both public and private sector players.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Clayton Dietz, accused of killing adoptive father hauled into court in handcuffs

Shocking Courtroom Drama: Clayton Dietz Faces Justice in Adoptive Father’s Murder Case

An 11-year-old, described as having a youthful appearance, faced the court in…
Uber in hot seat after probe finds violent offenders were cleared to drive passengers: report

Shockingly Dangerous: Uber’s Screening Failures Expose Passengers to Violent Drivers

The ride-sharing giant Uber is reportedly enhancing its background check procedures following…
Vermont couple reclaims foster care license after taking a stand on child gender transitioning

Vermont Couple Wins Back Foster Care License After Challenging Child Gender Transition Policies

EXCLUSIVE: A Vermont couple, who faced the revocation of their foster care…
Climber charged with leaving girlfriend on Austrian mountain to freeze to death tells court she told him to 'go' and find help

Climber Defends Decision to Leave Girlfriend on Austrian Mountain, Claims She Urged Him to Seek Help

An Austrian man facing charges of manslaughter is defending himself against accusations…
Tony Gonzales, alleged mistress exchanged 'sexual' texts -- but she 'didn't want to die, her heartbroken widower reveals to The Post

Tony Gonzales and Alleged Mistress Exchanged Intimate Texts, Heartbroken Widower Reveals to The Post

In a startling revelation from Washington, a Texas Republican congressman, Rep. Tony…
Two men brawl during 5-year-old girl's Chuck E. Cheese birthday party leaving one in coma

Altercation at Child’s Birthday Party Leaves One Man in Coma at Chuck E. Cheese Event

In a distressing incident at a Chuck E. Cheese location, two men…
Vance Slams 'Lawlessness' of Supreme Court Tariffs Ruling

Vance Criticizes Supreme Court’s Decision on Tariffs as ‘Chaotic

Vice President JD Vance has voiced strong disapproval of the Supreme Court…
Trump gives Iran 10-day ultimatum, but experts signal talks may be buying time for strike

Trump Issues 10-Day Ultimatum to Iran; Analysts Suggest Negotiations Could Be Prelude to Possible Strike

Back in June, President Trump indicated that he would make a decision…
Beverly Hills "squatter" Rita Ortiz evicted after $570M lien scheme

Beverly Hills Scandal: Rita Ortiz’s $570M Lien Scheme Ends in Eviction

A businesswoman from Beverly Hills, accused of attempting to defraud Los Angeles…
NYPD officers let drunk cop back on the road after crash: Manhattan DA

Manhattan DA Investigates NYPD Officers for Allowing Intoxicated Officer to Drive Post-Collision

Two New York Police Department officers are under scrutiny after allegedly allowing…
CIA rescinds 19 DEI-infused intel reports, including warning about women in traditional 'gender roles'

CIA Withdraws 19 Reports on Diversity and Gender Roles

WASHINGTON — The CIA has withdrawn more than a dozen intelligence reports…
White teens vindicated after woke Virginia professor accused them of hate crime -- for blasting rap music

Virginia Professor’s Hate Crime Allegation Against White Teens Dismissed in Case of Loud Rap Music

In a recent case that captured the attention of a Virginia community,…