By Ericka O’Connell, Roosevelt Island Daily
Friends, let’s take a moment to welcome and get to know the thoughtful leadership stepping into the RIOC spotlight this September. B.J. Jones brings more than three decades of experience across city and state government, most notably as President & CEO of the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) from 2018 to 2023.
During his tenure at BPCA, Jones managed a $350 million budget, led a 180-person team, and oversaw a community-wide resiliency initiative worth over $1 billion to safeguard Battery Park City against future storms. Along the way, he championed affordable housing, public art, and sustainability programming that shaped a greener, more vibrant neighborhood.
In 2023, he took on a new challenge as Executive Director in the City’s “Making New York Work for Everyone” plan, steering action on affordability, economic health, and quality of life for millions of New Yorkers.
A Voice from the Exit Interview
In an extended conversation with The Broadsheet, Jones offered a glimpse into his philosophy:
On stepping into new roles: “Duty calls when we least expect it… it just feels like this is where I needed to be next.”
On delivering progress citywide: “You just keep making progress and it adds up.”
On protecting our green spaces: “Don’t underestimate how important the day-to-day work of horticulture and maintenance and parks programming is… they deserve as much recognition and empowerment.”
Those words feel like home, honoring the everyday efforts that keep a community strong.
Leadership That Feels Like Home
Here’s what makes Jones’ leadership style such a good fit for Roosevelt Island:
- Community-first spirit — He values maintenance crews, parks teams, and neighborhood caretakers.
- Vision rooted in care — His projects blend resilience, culture, and affordability.
- Humble perseverance — He knows progress is built over time with listening and steady guidance.
What This Means for Roosevelt Island
When Jones takes the helm in September, neighbors can expect a leader who values both the small and the significant, our quiet pocket parks as much as our big development plans. It’s a vision of progress grounded in care, and one that feels well-suited to our island’s unique character.
The WIRE: Two Futures, One Empty Chair
It is December 6, 2015, and David Stone is writing to Dr. Jack Resnick about a chair that will soon be empty. Dick Lutz is preparing to leave the Main Street WIRE, and Stone has been encouraged to ask whether he might replace him. Seven years of covering art, Cornell Tech and questionable practices inside Public Safety have taught Stone how the paper tells an Island story.
