Mayor Warren Names NBD Commissioner and Innovation Director

City of Rochester

News Release

(Friday, March 20, 2015) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren today announced Baye M. Muhammad as the next Commissioner of Rochester’s Neighborhood and Business Development (NBD) Department.  Additionally, Mayor Warren announced Neal Martin has joined the City of Rochester administration as the first-ever Director of the new Office of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives.

NBD Commissioner

“Baye Muhammad will bring his expertise, enthusiasm and experience to bear in our mission to bring more jobs and more vibrant neighborhoods to our city,” said Mayor Warren.  “I am excited to work with Commissioner Muhammad as part of our already strong team in NBD to tackle some of the greatest issues challenging our city.  A large part of NBD is working with citizens, stakeholders and other levels of government to effect positive change and I believe Baye has the traits and energy needed to make that happen.”

Commissioner Muhammad is currently the head of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs for the City of Syracuse. He has direct experience managing a large municipal department and workforce.  Additionally, he has been active in efforts to engage neighborhood and community involvement; develop long- and short-range planning; foster intergovernmental and community stakeholder relations; and effectively collaborate with state officials to obtain funding for his agency.

Prior to his service with the City of Syracuse, Commissioner Muhammad worked for the New York State Senate as Upstate Director and as a Regional Director.  He has also worked for the US Job Corps. Commissioner Muhammad received his bachelor’s degree from the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C.

“I applaud the selection of Baye Muhammad as Rochester’s NBD Commissioner,” said Rochester Business Alliance resident and CEO Robert Duffy. “I first met Baye when he worked for the State Senate.  He is a very bright and energetic young mind who is committed to working hard to bring economic development and jobs to our entire community. With Rochester’s concentrated pockets of poverty, it is especially important to note that we have no time to wait. I am confident that Baye will jump in with both feet on day one and serve as a great asset to Mayor Warren’s vision for the city.  I had the pleasure of visiting with Baye and the Mayor recently and pledged RBA’s full support to help in any way that we can.”

"Baye Muhammad will be a strong addition to the Warren Administration.  I’ve worked with Baye for a number of years; he is a community-centered leader who will be an advocate for neighborhoods for the benefit of all residents and businesses,” Assemblyman David Gantt said.

“I applaud Mayor Lovely Warren’s decision to appoint Baye Muhammad as Commissioner of the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development,” said Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle. “Mr. Muhammad’s extensive record of public service and community engagement will be a great asset to the Warren Administration and the City of Rochester. I look forward to working with him as we seek to further strengthen our economy and secure a brighter future for all who call Rochester home.”

Kate Washington currently serves as Deputy Commissioner of NBD and has been acting as Interim NBD Commissioner.  Mayor Warren is grateful for her ongoing service and is excited to pair her and Commissioner Muhammad together as the senior management team in this critical department.

Commissioner Muhammad will start in April and his permanent appointment is contingent upon City Council confirmation.

Director of Innovation

“After looking at dozens of candidates, we’re convinced that Neal Martin is the best person for this job,” Mayor Warren said. “Our new team, funded by a generous grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, will take fresh, 21st-Century approaches to the age-old problems that plague our city.  Neal will bring both an analytical and practical approach to examining these most pressing issues, and serve as a strong leader for our City as we strive to bring more jobs, create safer, more vibrant neighborhoods, and improve access to education for all of our residents.”

Director Martin will lead the City’s five-member innovation team, or “i-team,” and will be responsible for carrying out the Office’s mission of researching and developing bold new solutions to issues facing Rochester, including reducing concentrated poverty and attracting jobs to the city’s most challenged neighborhoods.

Rochester’s i-team is made possible with a three-year, $1.95 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Rochester was one of 12 cities selected in December 2014 as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Innovation Teams Program.

Grant funds allow mayors to hire and fund i-teams for up to three years. These teams function as in-house innovation consultants, moving from one mayoral priority to the next. Using Bloomberg Philanthropies’ tested Innovation Delivery approach, i-teams use a data-driven process to assess problems, generate responsive new interventions, develop partnerships, and deliver measurable results.

Director Martin is an entrepreneur and data scientist from Washington, D.C. He has developed creative and strategic solutions to difficult problems using data analysis. He is transitioning from a technology firm he cofounded dedicated to improving access to banking through mobile technology.

Previously Director Martin worked at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory where he provided technical expertise and project leadership to support the U.S. Navy. He also worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in support of the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty.

Mr. Martin holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh.

For more information on the Office of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/innovation.

Director Martin will begin working March 30.

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Note: Bloomberg Philanthropies’ mission is to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Public Health, Environment, Education, Government Innovation and the Arts. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $462 million. For more information on the philanthropy, please visit bloomberg.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.

News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.