Mayor Adams Appoints Paul Bader, Kenneth Chan, Sarah Kaufman, Thomas Sorrentino to Taxi and Limousine Commission

June 28, 2023

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointments of Paul Bader, Kenneth Chan, and Sarah Kaufman, and the re-appointment of Thomas Sorrentino, to the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission’s (TLC) nine-member board of commissioners. Their nominations were previously presented to the New York City Council, which approved them last month. Each appointee brings a unique background and experience that will help inform the decisions of America’s largest for-hire-vehicle regulator.

TLC commissioners serve three-year terms. Three of the commissioners — Bader, Chan, and Kaufman — are new appointments, while Sorrentino has been re-appointed for his third term.

“I would like to thank these incredible commissioners for their deep commitment to serving this city, as well as the City Council for their approval of these outstanding nominees,” said Mayor Adams. “These four commissioners will be presiding over some of the most important initiatives that the commission has ever worked on, including the full electrification of the Uber and Lyft fleets. They will be working alongside our administration to make our for-hire vehicle industry not only the best-regulated in the nation, but the most environmentally friendly too.”

“Having previously served as the TLC chair, I know firsthand how valuable it is to have a diversity of perspectives and expertise on the board,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “These commissioners are welcome additions to an already exciting group, and the city will benefit from their invaluable input on policy and initiatives. I extend to them my thanks and welcome them to the TLC.”

“This formidable and dynamic group of commissioners provides the commission with a wide range of perspectives and experience that will enhance and inform TLC’s policies and regulatory operations,” said TLC Chair and Commissioner David Do. “I welcome them, and I am grateful to be serving alongside them. Together, with our existing board members, we will be dedicated to keeping the city’s for-hire vehicle industry safe, healthy, and sustainable.”

“I’m honored to be the City Council Queens delegation’s selection,” said TLC Commissioner Paul Bader. “The for-hire vehicle industry is an integral part of the community in Queens, and a great proportion of the industry, in particular drivers, work and reside in the county, which has always been the base of the taxi industry in New York City. Therefore, I see my responsibility as representing the thousands of TLC licensees who reside in Queens County.”

“I am both excited and deeply honored to serve as a TLC commissioner for New York City,” said TLC Commissioner Kenneth Chan. “I would like to thank Mayor Eric Adams for the appointment and members of the City Council for their support of my nomination. The for-hire vehicle industry is a vital part of New York City's everyday life, providing necessary transportation services to millions of our residents and visitors. I am committed to supporting the hardworking men and women who keep our city moving and working with the TLC staff and fellow commissioners to find ways to make our services even more efficient, accessible, and sustainable for everyone in our city.”

“I am honored to be named as a mayoral appointee on behalf of the Adams administration,” said TLC Commissioner Sarah Kaufman. “I am equally as excited to collaborate with my fellow commissioners at TLC, as well as the staff, drivers, and passengers to help shape the future of an essential industry in New York City.”

“I am humbled and honored to be reappointed to serve as a commissioner on the TLC and would like to thank Mayor Adams and the members of City Council for their support for this appointment,” said TLC Commissioner Thomas Sorrentino. “I also want to thank the members of the Brooklyn delegation of the City Council for allowing me to represent Brooklyn on the commission and congratulate my new colleague commissioners who are being appointed for the first time. I look forward to continuing working with TLC Chair and Commissioner David Do and the amazing professional team at the TLC to formulate policy that will benefit the industry and the riding public and continuing to serve the best city in the world.”

About Paul Bader

Paul Bader joins TLC as the new Queens representative with an extensive history of community involvement. The owner of a printing and design business in Long Island City, Bader has served on two community boards — Manhattan Community Board 2 and Brooklyn Community Board 6 — and as a board member of the New York State Health Foundation, Danspace at St. Marks, and the Gowanus Community Development Corporation. Bader has also worked for the New York City Comptroller’s Office and for the speaker of the New York State Assembly. He studied at Columbia University School of General Studies. Early on in his career, he also worked as a driving instructor and a yellow cab driver.

About Kenneth Chan

Kenneth Chan is managing director at Navistone LLC, a Brooklyn small business that manages residential and commercial properties. Along with unique perspective and insight into small business operations, Chan brings knowledge and experience on the connections between land use and transportation to the commission. Chan is also an attorney who served as counsel for Corning, Inc. and Avaya, Inc, as well as corporate counsel at United Technologies Corporation (now Raytheon Technologies Corporation).

About Sarah Kaufman

Sarah Kaufman joins TLC with extensive experience in transportation policymaking, research, and education. She served five years at the Metropolitan Transit Authority as a projects coordinator for emerging and intelligent transportation systems and is currently interim executive director at the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and management at New York University’s (NYU) Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. She holds master’s degrees from NYU in both technology and innovation management as well as urban planning.

About Thomas Sorrentino

Thomas Sorrentino has been reappointed to TLC after serving as the Brooklyn board member since 2017. Sorrentino is a partner at the accounting firm PFK O’Connor Davies LLP and has previously served on Brooklyn Community Board 18, where he chaired its transportation committee. He is a longstanding member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, where he serves on the board of directors and is a member of its executive and audit committee. Sorrentino is a graduate of New York University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting.