Member of Assembly

Began community work in Brighton Beach organizing businesses to assure the survival of the shopping strip and providing technical assistance that led to the creation of neighborhood groups.

After several years of grassroots community work, he held leadership positions including Executive Director of the North Brooklyn Development Corporation, and Director of Housing and Community Development for the Metropolitan New York Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty.

Holds a bachelor's degree from C.W. Post College, a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from Adelphi University and a law degree from Brooklyn Law School.

Served as Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Homeless Housing Development for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Housing Production and Finance for HPD and Deputy Commissioner of Development at HPD. He also served as the New York City Housing Authority\'s Director of Intergovernmental Relations, where he was responsible for developing the Housing Authority\'s legislative initiative and worked closely with elected officials in Albany and New York City.

Over the last 18 years, I’ve worked as a full-time Assembly Member to forge a close partnership with my southern Brooklyn district, which includes many Russian-speaking, Chinese and Turkish immigrants and one of the largest senior citizen communities in NYS. As Chair of the Assembly’s Housing Committee, I fight for affordable and supportive housing for hardworking families, seniors and vulnerable residents. Housing is more than a place to live: it represents stability, hope and promise for individuals and families. In my home district, I’m proud of the work my district office does to solve individual and community-wide problems. My office is a one-stop help center for my constituents. They know that they can come to us for any type of assistance.