Mayor Adams Announces Appointments and Promotions to City Hall Teams

January 28, 2025

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced new appointments and elevations within multiple offices at City Hall, including in the offices of the first deputy mayor, the deputy mayor for administration and chief of staff, the deputy mayor for intergovernmental affairs, and City Hall chief counsel — promoting current team members, as well as bringing in new talent to further strengthen the administration’s work to make New York City a safer, and more affordable city.

Within First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer’s office, Nate Bliss has been appointed chief of staff, Sarah Mallory has been named first deputy chief of staff, Reggie Thomas is moving to chief policy advisor, Marjorie Velázquez joins City Hall as director for tenant protection, Lizette Chaparro joins City Hall as a senior advisor for housing and land use, and Matthew Pietrus joins City Hall as senior advisor for transactions.  

Within Deputy Mayor for Administration and Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack’s office, Crystal Price has been appointed chief engagement officer and named deputy chief of staff to the mayor, Rory Whelan has joined City Hall as special advisor to the chief of staff, and Andrew Kunkes has been promoted to director of emergency relief and recovery.  

Within Deputy Mayor for Intergovernmental Affairs Tiffany Raspberry’s office, Kristin Rezek has been promoted to chief of staff, Melanee Farrah joins City Hall as newly appointed director of Federal Legislative Affairs, Shanna Witherspoon has been promoted to director of State Legislative Affairs, Shirley Paul has been appointed director of City Legislative Affairs, and Sasha Mayo will be promoted to general counsel for intergovernmental affairs.  

In Chief Counsel Allison Stoddart’s office, Bill Heinzen has been appointed deputy chief counsel, Alicia Berenyei was appointed as chief of staff, and Amanda Pappalardo was named executive senior counsel.  

“Every day, our City Hall teams give it their all, and this group of staffers deliver day-in and day-out for 8.3 million New Yorkers. Every one of these team members are key to helping deliver on our mission of building a safer, more affordable city for New York City families,” said Mayor Adams. “I am confident that, together, they will draw from their respective areas of expertise and help make New York City the best place to raise a family.”  

Biographies and details about appointments and promotions are included below.   

The following individuals serve on First Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer’s team: 

About Nate Bliss – Chief of Staff
Nate Bliss has 20 years of experience in public-private partnerships, including time in both the private sector and in government. Since joining the Adams administration in January 2022, Bliss has continuously served as chief of staff to First Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer in her different roles. He has led City Hall’s efforts on various cornerstone economic development and housing projects, including Penn Station, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Willets Point, the Brooklyn Marine Terminal, the Hunts Point Produce Market, and Gansevoort Square. Bliss earned a Bachelor of Arts in urban studies from Columbia University and a Master of Science in real estate from New York University. 

About Sarah Mallory – First Deputy Chief of Staff
Sarah Mallory has served the people of New York City for over eight years. In the Adams administration, Mallory has served the housing, economic development, and workforce portfolio as the deputy chief of staff and chief of operations. In these roles, she launched “Women Forward NYC: An Action Plan for Gender Equity,” a $43 million investment aimed at making New York City a national leader on gender equity, drove the expansion of paid parental and paid family leave for managerial city employees, and secured $15 million for public library teen centers. Mallory first joined the Mayor's Office during the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing staffing shortages in overstretched hospitals and then connecting New Yorkers to life-saving vaccines with the New York City Vaccine Command Center. Before joining City Hall, she was assistant commissioner for government affairs at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, advancing the agency's legislative and land use agendas to address the city's decades-long housing crisis. She also worked in legislative, budget, and constituent service-focused roles for the New York and Los Angeles City Councils and was a part of the Hillary for America campaign in 2016. Mallory graduated from the University of California Los Angeles with Bachelor of Science in psychology and in global studies, and from New York University with a Master of public administration in public and nonprofit management.   

About Reggie Thomas – Chief Policy Advisor 
Reggie Thomas brings a wealth of experience from across both the public and private sector. Thomas previously served as senior vice president of government affairs at the Real Estate Board of New York. Previously, he was a principal at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies. Thomas served in the de Blasio administration as first deputy director of City Legislative Affairs and in the Bloomberg administration as deputy director of City Legislative Affairs and senior policy advisor. Previously, Thomas was legislative and budget director for then-New York City Councilmember Leroy Comrie, staff director for the Queens City Council delegation, and an aide in the Manhattan Borough President’s Office. Thomas graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor of Science in political science.  

About Marjorie Velázquez – Director for Tenant Protection 
Marjorie Velázquez most recently served as vice president of policy for Tech:NYC, where she worked to bridge the gap between City Hall, Albany, and New York's fast-growing tech sector. Prior to that, Velázquez served on the New York City Council, representing District 13 in the Northeast Bronx from 2022 to 2023. During her tenure, she chaired the Consumer and Worker Protection Committee. In this role, she championed several key initiatives, including a landmark ruling mandating a minimum wage for gig economy workers, securing funding for public transit and safety improvements, and passing bills to strengthen tenant rights. Velázquez graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Science in finance and CPA accounting.  

About Lizette Chaparro – Senior Advisor for Housing and Land Use 
Lizette Chaparro joins City Hall from the Office of the Manhattan Borough President, where she served as director of Land Use and Planning for both borough presidents Mark Levine and Gale Brewer. In that role, she advised the borough presidents on land use applications and helped to advocate for impactful housing policies. In 2022, she helped produce “Housing Manhattanites,” a plan to build over 73,000 new housing units throughout Manhattan. Prior to her work in government, Chaparro worked for not-for-profit affordable housing developers in Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea, and East Harlem. Chaparro is the 2023 recipient of the Ibo Balton Community Planner award from the Citizen’s Housing and Planning Council and the Manhattan Young Democrats’ 2024 Excellence in City Planning award. In 2022, she was named in City & State’s “40 Under 40” list. Chaparro graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in urban studies and earned a Master of Science in city and regional planning from Rutgers University. 

About Matthew Pietrus – Senior Advisor for Transactions
Matthew Pietrus is an accomplished urban planner and real estate strategist with over a decade of experience leading development, transportation, and public realm improvement projects in New York City, Chicago, and Newark. Most recently, he advanced major transit-oriented developments and public-private partnerships at the Metropolitan Transit Authority, previously guiding rezonings and zoning policy initiatives at the New York City Department of City Planning. Pietrus began his career in Kampala, Uganda. In addition to his public service work, Pietrus is an adjunct professor of Urban Planning at New York University. Pietrus holds a Master of urban planning from New York University, a B.A. in geography and international studies from DePaul University and is a certified planner with the American Planning Association. 

The following individuals will all report to Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff Joseph Varlack: 

About Crystal Price – Chief Engagement Officer 
Crystal Price has an extensive professional background in city and federal government, including over a decade of experience working in Washington, D.C., across 11 legislative sessions in various capacities. Prior to her appointment, Price served as deputy chief of staff to the mayor, focusing on enhancing operations with mayoral offices overseeing community engagement, emergency, and crisis management. During her tenure, Price played a key role in developing New York City Service’s Strategic Plan, the Public Engagement Unit’s Money in Your Pocket Initiative, the Jobs NYC Initiative, and New York City’s membership in the Open Government Partnership and first-ever open government action plan. Previously, Price she served as director of Federal Legislative Affairs, where she spearheaded the development and execution of New York City’s national strategy and federal legislative agenda. Price also served as deputy director of Federal Legislative Affairs in the de Blasio administration, where she organized New York City’s federal outreach and advocacy goals in response to COVID-19 and worked with congressional leadership on drafting the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act. Price began her career serving in the office of former elected officials, including U.S. Representatives Joe Crowley, Tim Ryan, and José E. Serrano. Price earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of the District of Columbia. 

About Rory Whelan – Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff 
Rory Whelan has more than 30 years of public-private sector experience, where he has focused on strategic communications, public affairs, and advocacy. Whelan previously held leadership roles in the New York State Senate and senior management positions at two Fortune 500 companies. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany.  

About Andrew Kunkes – Director of Emergency Relief and Recovery
Andrew Kunkes began working in the Mayor’s Office in the winter of 2020 as a Manhattan borough director in the Community Affairs Unit. Since then, Kunkes has held multiple positions, including coordinating community engagement and operational support during emergency situations. Before joining the Mayor’s Office, Kunkes worked with the New York State Assembly and New York City Council. Kunkes received his undergraduate degree from Baruch College and is a recent graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security.   

The following individuals serve on Deputy Mayor Raspberry’s team: 

About Kristin Rezek – Chief of Staff 
Kristin Rezek’s journey in government began at the age of 17, working for the Troy City Clerk, and she has since amassed over two decades of experience in public service and government affairs. Rezek previously served as assistant director of state compliance and regulatory affairs at MetroPlus Health Plan and previously worked with Mayor Adams as a special assistant during his time as Brooklyn borough president. Rezek also previously worked in the New York State Senate, with Emblem Health, and at the New York State of Health marketplace. Rezek earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Siena College and a Master of public health from SUNY Albany.  

About Melanee Farrah – Director of Federal Legislative Affairs 
Melanee Farrah brings over 15 years of leadership experience in public policy, organizational management, and political strategy. Based in Washington, D.C., Farrah previously served as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Nikema Williams for four years, leading the office’s policy development and execution while managing a robust team to deliver results for Georgia’s fifth congressional district. Farrah also served as a board member of the House Chiefs of Staff Association, where she was co-chair of professional development. Farrah’s career spans diverse sectors, including education, where she served as senior director of talent and human resources for Excellence Community Schools, and local government, where she was chief of staff and policy advisor to an Atlanta city councilmember. Additionally, Farrah worked at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Head Start (Region II). She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where she has a degree in government and politics. Farrah also holds a Master of public policy from George Washington University and a Master of Science in educational leadership from The Broad Residency. 

About Shanna Witherspoon – Director of State Legislative Affairs 
Prior to her promotion, Shanna Witherspoon served as chief of staff for State Legislative Affairs, where she played a pivotal role in shaping Mayor Adams’ Albany agenda and crafting strategies to effectively advance New York City’s top priorities. Prior to this role, Witherspoon worked as assistant commissioner of finance and administration at the Albany County Department of Health, overseeing fiscal and administrative operations as well as policy implementation. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business, management, and finance from Brooklyn College, and a Master of public administration from LIU Brooklyn Campus. 

About Shirley Paul – Director of City Legislative Affairs 
Shirley Paul will be joining City Hall from New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, where she served as senior advisor and assistant counsel in 2021. In her role at the Governor’s Office, she also served as the faith liaison and director of constituency affairs. Paul made history along with Governor Hochul, when she notarized the oath of office for her as the state’s first female governor. Previously, Paul worked as a solo practitioner, handling civil and criminal matters. Paul began her career in the court system, working for both civil and criminal Supreme Court judges before attending law school. She later returned to the court system as a law clerk and briefly worked as an assistant corporation counsel for the New York City Law Department before joining the Executive Chamber in 2016. Paul has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Delaware State University, a Master of Arts in political science from Brooklyn College, and a Juris Doctor from New York Law School.  

About Sasha Mayo – General Counsel for Intergovernmental Affairs 
Sasha Mayo has been serving as general counsel for City Legislative Affairs since July 2022. Before joining the Mayor’s Office, Mayo devoted over seven years to the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), where she held significant roles as both the deputy director of Intergovernmental Affairs and an agency attorney in Bronx Family Court. Mayo earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and international studies from Nazareth University and a Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School.  

The following individuals serve on Chief Counsel Stoddart’s team: 

About Bill Heinzen – Deputy Chief Counsel 
Over his career, Bill Heinzen has served in several city government roles, including special counsel in the Office of City Hall Chief Counsel, senior counsel at the New York City Law Department, counsel to the Public Design Commission, senior vice president and general counsel to the Hudson River Park Trust, deputy commissioner and acting commissioner at the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, and general counsel at the New York City Board of Correction. Heinzen also served as a staff attorney for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, as law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as a litigation associate at Robinson Silverman, Pearce, Aronson and Berman LLP, and Bryan Cave LLP. Heinzen has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Haverford College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin. He serves on the Board of the Ballet Tech Foundation, as Mayor Adams’ designee to the Public Design Commission, and is vice chair of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. 

About Alicia Berenyi – Chief of Staff 
Alicia Berenyi most recently served as senior counsel in the Office of City Hall Chief Counsel. She has also served concurrently as one of the legal directors of the award-winning Asylum Application Help Center, a role she will continue in as chief of staff. Prior to joining City Hall, Berenyi was counsel at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, where her practice focused on representing individuals and corporations in white-collar criminal defense, government and internal corporate investigations, and complex litigation. Berenyi previously served as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and a fellow at the Policing Project, a nonprofit based at New York University School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in urban studies from Columbia University and her Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law. 

About Amanda Pappalardo – Executive Senior Counsel 
Amanda Pappalardo has advocated for the people of New York City for over 15 years. Under the Adams administration, she has served the Office of City Hall Chief Counsel as senior counsel. Before joining City Hall, she was senior counsel in charge of the Legal Affairs Unit at what was previously known as, the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications — counseling offices that provide technology services to city agencies and the residents of New York City. Pappalardo has served in several other government roles, including as a deputy unit chief of the State Law Enforcement Defense Unit of the New York City Law Department and as an assistant corporation counsel prosecuting juvenile delinquency matters in Manhattan Family Court. Pappalardo graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and received her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. 

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