A top Con Edison exec and former City Council chief of staff will take the helm as the next president of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the organization announced Tuesday.
John Banks, vice president of government relations at Con Edison, will officially begin his new position next year after the current president, Steven Spinola, steps down.
Spinola, who has lead the association for three decades as its longest-serving president, believes Banks is a solid choice for the future of REBNY.
“I look forward to some busy months ahead as we continue to pursue a pro-growth agenda for the city while ensuring the smoothest possible transition at REBNY,” Spinola said. “I couldn’t be more optimistic about the future of this organization under John’s guidance.”
Banks is coming to REBNY after 13 years at Con Edison, where up until recently he lead a staff of 38 employees to manage government and community affairs.
Banks severed as chief of staff for the City Council speaker from 2000 to 2002 before taking his role at Con Edison.
And prior to that, Banks, who has an economics and government bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College and a master’s in public administration from Baruch College, was deputy director of the City Council’s finance division.
Banks sits on a number of boards for various organizations, including the MTA, the New York Public Library and Manhattan College. He served as a member of Mayor de Blasio’s transition committee.
“I look forward to working with the leadership of REBNY, its members, staff, the community and New York’s elected officials,” Banks said. “It is an honor to follow in Steve’s tremendous footsteps and build upon his accomplishments.”
RECOMMENDED STORIES
- 14-story hotel and residential mixed-use building planned for Flushing
- Subway entrance renovations under Kew Gardens Interchange completed
- Lonely Planet names Queens best place to visit in US next year
