Longtime District Manager Matt Cruz is saying goodbye to Bronx Community Board 10 after nine years of serving the community.
Cruz is leaving the board to become Director of Policy at the New York City Department of City Planning, bringing an end to nearly a decade overseeing one of the city’s most active community boards.
Since taking on the role, Cruz said he is particularly proud of initiatives that improved residents’ quality of life, including the launch and continued success of the Throggs Neck ferry service, efforts to stop a proposed drug treatment facility from opening next to Lehman High School, improvements to parks and green spaces, cleaner streets and increased police coverage throughout the district.
Community Board 10 encompasses Co-op City, City Island, Throggs Neck, Country Club, Zerega, Westchester Square, Pelham Bay and Waterbury-LaSalle. Cruz said the board serves residents who have carved out a “slice of suburbia” within New York City and are deeply invested in preserving their neighborhoods’ quality of life.
“They are the most demanding community, probably in the city of New York, but for good reason,” Cruz said. “They have something that many neighborhoods want, and they’re doing their best to protect it.”
His career in public service began in the office of former Council Member Jimmy Vacca, who previously served as Community Board 10’s second district manager. He later worked at the Department of Buildings before joining the board.
Along the way, Cruz developed a passion for urban planning, which he viewed as the intersection of local government, municipal service delivery and land use. Inspired by district managers who knew how to engage communities and hold city agencies accountable, he earned a master’s degree in urban planning from Hunter College.
“I’ve always had a curiosity about civic government, and I think I’m a product of someone who wants to show you that government can work on your behalf,” Cruz said.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson praised Cruz’s leadership and service to the district.
“Matt has been an absolute pleasure to work with. He is a committed and dedicated public servant who worked closely with his Chairperson to make informed decisions and always put the work above politics. Even-tempered, diplomatic, compassionate, and fair are just a few words I would use to describe him and his leadership during his tenure at Bronx Community Board 10,” Gibson said.
“We were lucky to have him and grateful for his service to our City Island, Co-op City, Edgewater Park, Pelham Bay, Throggs Neck, Westchester Square, Waterbury Lasalle, Silver Beach, and Zerega communities. Although he will be tremendously missed, we also wish him all the success in his next chapter and look forward to seeing all that he will do in his new role.”
Community Board 10 Chair Joseph Russo said the board is working with the Bronx Borough President’s Office to find Cruz’s successor. A search committee composed of three board members will interview candidates over the coming weeks, with the goal of appointing a new district manager by September when board meetings resume.
“Matt’s been a great representative for the community and a great communicator,” Russo said. “It leaves very large shoes to fill in a very short period of time.”
While Cruz is moving on professionally, he said he plans to remain active in the community he calls home, though he intends to step back from community board matters for a time.
“This is home forever for me,” Cruz said. “Being district manager is the professional honor of my life.”
“There will never be another position where I get to talk to so many people, get yelled at, and then, at the end of the conversation, have them shake my hand and thank me for my service.”
Reach Marina Samuel at msamuel@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
