Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, December 7, 1999

Release #474-99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/ Edward Skyler (212) 788-2958
Matthew Monahan (DDC) (718) 391-1641


MAYOR GIULIANI APPOINTS KENNETH R. HOLDEN AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced the appointment of Kenneth R. Holden as Commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC). The agency, created by the Mayor in 1996 to consolidate most of the City's capital construction programs, now has 1,400 employees and a project portfolio valued at $4 billion.

Mr. Holden, who has been the Acting Commissioner since the resignation of former Commissioner Luis M. Tormenta in November, served as First Deputy Commissioner of DDC since its inception. Prior to that, he was Director of the Mayor's Office of Construction, where he was instrumental in creating DDC.

"One of the ways in which my Administration has revitalized New York City was to streamline the design and construction of the City's infrastructure and facilities and to deliver our projects in a safe, timely and cost-effective manner," Mayor Giuliani said. "Ken Holden has played a key role in the success of DDC and is especially well-suited to further advance our ambitious agenda of rebuilding a city and enhancing the quality of life."

"It is very exciting to be part of the effort that has re-engineered the way New York City builds and manages its capital construction projects, from public libraries, job opportunity centers and health clinics to new roads and water mains," Mr. Holden said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to advance Mayor Giuliani's vision of enhanced service delivery to the next level of achievement and look forward to working with DDC's extraordinary staff to meet future objectives."

Mr. Holden, a graduate of Columbia College, began his City service in 1986 with the Parks Department where he eventually served as the agency's Chief Contracting Officer and its Chief of Management Services. He became the Director of the Department of Environmental Protection's Capital Budget Management Office before serving as Director of the Mayor's Office of Construction from 1994 to 1996.

Anthony P. Coles, Senior Advisor to the Mayor, said, "DDC has accomplished a great deal in a very short period of time, and is recognized throughout the construction industry as one of the administration's success stories. Ken Holden is a proven and accomplished manager, and I am confident that he will continue to keep DDC's momentum moving forward."

DDC's client roster includes: the Police, Fire, Environmental Protection, Transportation, Aging, Juvenile Justice, Correction, Health, and Cultural Affairs Departments; the Administration for Children's Services; the Human Resources Administration; the three public library systems and Board of Education.

Mr. Holden lives with his wife, Frances, a manager with the City's Parks Department, and son, Teddy, in College Point, Queens.

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