LMDC Chairman John C. Whitehead today announced the appointment of Stefan Pryor, Senior Vice-President for Policy and Programs, as President of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. As the first employee of the LMDC, Pryor has helped lead the agency since its inception in November of 2001. Pryor has served the agency's Chairman and President as their top deputy. Pryor will serve as LMDC President on an interim basis until the LMDC board, at its monthly meeting next week, officially appoints him President. Pryor replaces departing President Kevin M. Rampe.

Chairman Whitehead said, “Stefan Pryor was the first employee of the LMDC. He was on the scene before the agency had an office, a staff, or a budget. He helped to form the organization and, ever since, has helped to lead it. Given his experience, talent, and intelligence, Stefan will be an outstanding LMDC President.”

Governor George E. Pataki said, “Stefan Pryor has helped lead the rebuilding efforts since the inception of the LMDC. His experience, qualifications and commitment to revitalizing Lower Manhattan will make him an exceptional President of the LMDC. I am confident that Stefan is the right person for the job.”

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, "As the first employee of the LMDC and with his extensive knowledge of forging cooperation between the business and public sectors, Stefan Pryor is uniquely qualified to oversee the rebuilding on the World Trade Center site and create a memorial that will reflect the sacrifice of the people of New York City. The appointment of Stefan Pryor as President of the LMDC will ensure the continuity of the revitalization and transformation of Lower Manhattan as a 24-hour residential and commercial community."

Pryor, a Lower Manhattan resident, previously served as a Vice President at the Partnership for New York City, the citywide business organization. After September 11th, Pryor coordinated the Partnership’s efforts to get downtown businesses back up and running. Pryor helped form ReStart Central, which provided discounted and donated goods and services to 9/11-affected businesses. Pryor previously worked in city government in New Haven, Connecticut. While a student at Yale College, Yale Law School, and the Yale Teacher Preparation Program, Pryor co-founded Amistad Academy, an acclaimed charter middle school in New Haven that has recently been invited to replicate in New York City. Amistad’s expansion organization, Achievement First, will open schools in Brooklyn’s East New York and Crown Heights neighborhoods this September. In 2000, Pryor was named the first recipient of Yale’s John V. Lindsay Public Service Fellowship, which was created in honor of former New York City Mayor Lindsay.