Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
"Earl's excellent work as President of the Tax Commission and his long and distinguished career in the finance and real estate industries makes him the obvious choice to lead the Department of Business Services," Mayor Giuliani said. "As one who has hands on experience in building a successful business, Earl will offer leadership and create the atmosphere to support the business community. I know he will build on the groundbreaking work of the man he succeeds, Rudy Washington."
DBS provides assistance and support to attract and retain businesses throughout the City, fostering a positive economic climate, helping create jobs and strengthening the City's tax base. The agency has a budget of $22.5 million and a staff of 168.
Mr. Andrews, a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, was a principal and Managing Director in the investment firm of WR Lazard, Laidlaw & Mead, a company he helped start and develop into one of the major minority-owned broker/dealers in the country.
He entered the investment banking business with Shearson Hammill in 1971 and later helped found First Harlem Securities Corp., the first minority-owned member of the New York Stock Exchange. He was also a Vice President and Manager in the Investment Banks of First Boston and Bear Stearns.
As President of the New York City Tax Commission Mr. Andrews responsibilities included ruling on applications to review and correct real property tax assessments made by the Department of Finance, including determinations on applications for exemptions. Prior to his work on the Tax Commission, Mr. Andrews served as Chairman of the New York City Off Track Betting Corporation from April 1993 to August 1993.
Mr. Andrews sits on the Board of Directors of the Aaron Davis Hall and the Morehouse Alumni Association. He also served as a member of the Carnegie Council Fact Finding Survey of Conditions in South Africa in 1989. Born and raised in Queens, Mr. Andrews currently resides in Manhattan's Upper West Side. Mr. Andrews' nineteen year old daughter, Rena, and his brother, Peter, joined him at the appointment.