Governor Eliot Spitzer announced the appointment of Avi Schick as Chairman and David Emil as President of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.

“With new leadership and a new direction, a reinvigorated LMDC will help revitalize an area that is important as an economic hub to New York and as a symbol of our freedom and resilience to all Americans,” said Governor Spitzer. 

David Emil is a businessman who owns and operates several businesses in the metropolitan area.  Mr. Emil was the owner of Windows on the World, the restaurant atop the World Trade Center.  On September 11th Windows on the World was destroyed and 79 of Mr. Emil’s employees were killed in the attack. Mr. Emil and two colleagues founded the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund, raising more than $25 million to assist the children and families of restaurant workers killed on September 11. Between 1979 and 1994, Mr. Emil held several positions in state government, most notably as President and CEO of the Battery Park City Authority from 1988 to 1994.

Avi Schick serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Empire State Development Corporation where his responsibilities include coordinating the state’s activities related to Ground Zero. Mr. Schick previously served as a Deputy Attorney General in the New York State Attorney General’s Office where he represented the state in significant litigations and in matters relating to the $200 billion tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation was created in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks to help plan and coordinate the rebuilding and revitalization of Lower Manhattan, and is charged with ensuring that Lower Manhattan recovers from the attacks.