Former Queens Assemblymember Barry Grodenchik is the new deputy Borough President. Queens Borough President Helen Marshall appointed Grodenchik to fill the open seat vacated by Karen Koslowitz, who was elected to the City Council in the 29th District.
“Barry is a seasoned public servant with experience at the state and county level,” Marshall said in a statement on Tuesday, January 5. “He has been involved in the planning and fruition of many projects in Queens and has the experience and knowledge to serve our county well.”
Grodenchik said he was very excited by his appointment and being back in a role of public service.
“I always loved working at Borough Hall, and I’m a Queens native; it’s very exciting to be serving the county that I grew up in,” Grodenchik said.
Grodenchik was elected to the State Assembly in 2002 to represent the 22nd District, which includes downtown Flushing. Grodenchik previously worked under former Borough President Claire Shulman, acted as the Queens Regional Representative at the State Department of State and served as ombudsman for Queens County for then Governor Mario Cuomo. Most recently, Grodenchik worked for Parkside Group, a New York City government affairs and public relations firm.
In addition to acting as Deputy Borough President, Grodenchik will oversee the 14 community boards in Queens, be the Queens liaison to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and do “whatever else the Borough President asks of me,” according to Grodenchik.
“We have outstanding boards, and in some cases people have given decades to their community with nothing back but the satisfaction,” Grodenchik said. “I look forward to working closely with these people, and I’m very grateful to the Borough President for this opportunity to serve the people again.”
