NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio has tapped Department of Sanitation veteran Edward Grayson to permanently lead the agency, his office said Thursday.
Grayson, who has been with the department for 21 years, has served as its acting commissioner since former Commissioner Kathryn Garcia stepped down to explore a mayoral run in September.
“Edward Grayson has distinguished himself in his Acting Commissioner role this autumn and winter,” de Blasio said in a statement. “He has brought energy, experience and passion for the agency’s mission to his role, and he has fully earned New Yorkers’ trust to keep our city safe and clean.”
In his own statement, Grayson thanked de Blasio and the department “for the trust they have placed in me during these deeply challenging times.”
“Growing up in Ridgewood, everyone in my neighborhood had a plan for how they’d someday serve the people of New York, as so many of our parents did, including my own,” he said.
“As a sanitation worker, a supervisor, a superintendent and a chief, I’ve been proud to do just that for the last 21 years,” he added.