Commission Bio: Joseph Douek

Joseph Douek is a businessman and philanthropist with over 25 years of experience. He currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of Viceroy Equities, an investment and hedge fund management firm based in Brooklyn. Among other initiatives, Viceroy Equities has invested in Opportunity Zones, with the goal of spurring development in several areas throughout Brooklyn. Mr. Douek was appointed to the City Planning Commission in 2012 by the Brooklyn Borough President to represent Brooklyn, and was reappointed in 2017. 

In May 2020, Mr. Douek was appointed by the President of the United States to serve as a Commissioner on the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad. 

Mr. Douek got his start selling wholesale photography supplies, and went on to become the owner and CEO of Willoughby’s, New York’s oldest photography retailer. Mr. Douek has also served on the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors for the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), as well as the Board of Directors for the NYC Industrial Development Agency. Mr. Douek has served on the Board of Trustees for several non-profit entities, including the Brooklyn Public Library, and the Jewish Children’s Museum. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.