June 12, 1999
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Robert Ryan - New Boss at RIOC |
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"Coming over on the Tram this morning, I was thinking what a great opportunity I
have here."
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Robert Ryan, 43, became President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
Thursday morning in a sudden shift that had residents blinking in surprise most
of the week. For that matter, it had Ryan blinking, too - he'd known about his
new assignment for "about a week," as he put it. "I was very excited by the warm welcome I received this morning," Ryan told The WIRE in an interview shortly after his appointment. Indeed, residents flocked to the front of the Chapel of the Good Shepherd to introduce themselves to Ryan, who responded to their "Mr. Ryan" by correcting them: "It's Rob," he said repeatedly.
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Ryan took several opportunities to portray himself as open, a listener, willing
to learn - as a public servant, in short, who sees Roosevelt Island residents
as his "bosses" and "constituents." He said, "I want to listen," in a brief
speech after the RIOC Board approved a resolution confirming him. "I work for
all you people. I know that I have a lot to learn. I don't claim to have all
the answers. I have to get up to speed on a lot of issues. I want to sit down
with all the stakeholders - residents, business people, developers -
everybody... hopefully, we can work together. You may not always like what I
come back to you and say. Some days, I may have to be the bad cop. But I'm
here to make it better. The Governor understands the concerns of everyone here
and I'm thrilled to be here." Ryan was applauded warmly. He has come to Roosevelt Island via the political campaign and public service trail. He ran the Governor's 1994 campaign, then worked on his transition team. From there, he went to Empire State Development Corporation (ESD) as Executive Director for Port Authority Affairs, a liaison function. In summer, 1997, he became ESD's Senior Vice-President for Communications. In that job, he oversaw the I Love NY campaign and ESD's Office of Television and Motion Pictures. Ryan, who is divorced, lives on 39th Street on the East side. He has twin daughters, 16.
Ryan said all the right things in his interview with The WIRE - repeating his intention to listen, learn, and consult. He agreed to resume the RIOC President's Column in The WIRE, a communications opportunity his predecessor had dropped after a few months.
He starts work Monday morning. "I'm a pretty quick study," he said. "I'm a good judge of people, and I'm good at analyzing. My opinion isn't that important... I have to be a funnel for a broad range of views." Asked if he has any particular marching orders from the Governor, he said, "Not yet," but he expects them to come. "The Governor is a firm believer in seeing things run in a businesslike fashion, and keeping a rein on the tax dollars." Asked if he'll feel free to request State money if he sees need, he said, "Yes." Then he added, quickly, "I don't know what the answer will be. If there's a problem, [the Governor will] sit and listen, and then make a decision." Asked about the best job he's ever held, Ryan expressed great satisfaction in having worked on Pataki's initial campaign for Governor, then added, "But this has promise. This could be the best."
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