NYCHA Staff Receive Mayor’s Customer Service Award

This year, the theme for Customer Service Week is “Dream Team,” highlighting the employees who work together to provide excellent customer service while adapting to an ever-changing work and world environment. Staff members from NYCHA’s dream team were recently singled out for their outstanding customer service when they were awarded the Mayor’s Office 2020 Excellence in Customer Service Award, which recognizes outstanding city workers and teams that show dedication and commitment to New York City through their customer service.

Award winners were announced on October 9. See all the winners here.

Here are the NYCHA awardees:

Individual Award:
Ruben Lopez, Supervisor of Caretakers at Wyckoff Gardens

As Supervisor of Caretakers at Wyckoff Gardens in Brooklyn, Ruben Lopez is responsible for ensuring caretakers maintain the development grounds up to the NYCHA standard.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Lopez has gone above and beyond to provide stellar service to residents and assist his fellow employees in ensuring the buildings at Wyckoff Gardens are well maintained. Though he experienced personal familial losses, he remained dedicated to his work.

In the nomination letter for Mr. Lopez, Wyckoff Property Manager Shelisa Reid wrote: “There is no assignment that is given to Mr. Lopez that he has not completed in a timely and efficient manner. He displays professionalism at all times. He is an asset to the staff and residents of Wyckoff Gardens. Mr. Lopez is the true epitome of a team player.”

Team Awards:
Astoria Houses

Staff members at Astoria Houses were nominated for their teamwork, dedication, and service to Astoria Houses residents. In her nomination of the team, Astoria Houses Property Manager Debra Barnes-Hinnant said: “Between being great support to their coworkers and residents, they have been the backbone of Astoria Houses. From managing clerical work, to interacting with the residents, to maintaining the buildings and efficiently repairing damage, their leadership and skills have helped Astoria Houses to truly thrive. We thank them for all of their efforts.”

Capital Projects Program Management Team 1

Staff members in the Program Management Team 1 of the Capital Projects Department, led by Executive Project Manager Chirag (CJ) Patel, manage the rehabilitation and modernization of NYCHA developments, including managing Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Roof Initiative and the Authority’s Local Law 11 façade inspection program. The team also includes Melvin Ndiangang, Senior Project Manager; Ahsan Afzal, Project Manager; Pathik Mehta, Project Manager; Biji Bose, Project Manager; and Nipun Patel, Assistant Project Manager.

They provide oversight of architectural, engineering, and contract administration to ensure that capital projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to quality standards.

Recently, the team provided customer service expeditiously through two New York City emergencies. When playgrounds were closed due to the pandemic, the Team coordinated the installation of over seven miles of fencing to secure 509 playgrounds in less than eight days. Once the playground restriction was lifted, the Team coordinated the removal of the fencing and reopening of playgrounds in eight days. Also, when more than 50 sidewalk sheds were damaged due to Tropical Storm Isaias, the Team managed quick inspections and repair of the damage at 400 buildings throughout the five boroughs.

The team’s nomination letter from Aden Munassar, Senior Advisor to the Executive Vice President for Capital Projects, stated: “CJ and Team 1’s customer service excellence and dedication to NYCHA residents is almost unmatched – through unprecedented emergencies for the City of New York, they are available day and night to make sure residents who call NYCHA home are safe and secure. Their dedication to the job, courtesy and humanity towards residents, attention to schedules and prudence with public funds makes them great public servants and assets to the City – the walking embodiment of ‘customer service excellence.’”