Governor George E. Pataki today announced the appointment of Thomas S. Johnson to the Board of Directors of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), the agency responsible for rebuilding and revitalizing Lower Manhattan.

Johnson is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GreenPoint Financial Corporation and of GreenPoint Bank. He has a long history of community service through his affiliation with organizations such as the United Way and recently presided over a $1 million donation from GreenPoint to various World Trade Center disaster relief efforts.

Johnson and his wife Ann lost their 26-year-old son Scott, an analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, in the World Trade Center attacks. Ann Johnson serves on the Family Advisory Council of the LMDC.

Governor Pataki said, "Tom is an exceptional addition to the LMDC Board who is committed to rebuilding and revitalizing New York City. With decades of experience in the banking industry, he brings to the Board unique perspective on complex financial issues involved in stimulating the resurgence of Lower Manhattan. While Tom and his family sustained a tremendous personal loss on September 11, they are nonetheless eager to help the City recover from this terrible tragedy. I'm extremely pleased that Tom has agreed to serve and help the LMDC fulfill its important mission."

Mr. Johnson said, "Having been selected by the Governor is a privilege for my family and for me, and, in memory of Scott, we are ready to help in the rebuilding of New York."

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, "The Governor has made a fine selection in choosing Tom Johnson as his final appointment to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. I have had the privilege of getting to know the Johnson family over the past year. The LMDC Board will be well served and Tom's participation will further Scott Johnson's legacy."

John C. Whitehead, Chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, said, "I have known Tom since he was President of Manufacturers Hanover and later Chemical Bank. Greenpoint has played an important role in Lower Manhattan, and Tom will provide invaluable banking expertise for our Board and its role in the rebuilding effort."

Mr. Johnson joined GreenPoint in 1993 and is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining GreenPoint, Johnson served in various positions in the banking industry, including President and Director of Manufacturers Hanover Trust and President and Director of Chemical Bank. He also served as Special Assistant to the Comptroller of the US Department of Defense from 1966 to 1969. He received an A.B. in Economics from Trinity College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

The LMDC is a joint State-City corporation formed by the Governor and Mayor to oversee the rebuilding and revitalization of Lower Manhattan, south of Houston Street. The LMDC is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors - eight appointed by the Governor, eight appointed by the Mayor and is chaired by John C. Whitehead.