Over the course of more than two decades in public service to New York, the nation and the Latino community, Adolfo Carrión, Jr. has earned a reputation for bringing innovation and common sense solutions to government, and now business.

Carrión began his career as a youth pastor and New York City public school teacher, where he gained a thorough understanding of the needs of students and their families. Compelled to make positive impacts on these students’ total environment, Carrión pursued a career in urban planning. He became a City Planner and later served as the District Manager of Community Board 5 in the Bronx before winning a seat on the New York City Council in 1997.

During his time on the City Council, Carrión was an outspoken proponent of education reform and worked to ensure minority communities’ participation in the 2000 census. He was the first freshman council member in history to be appointed to the Land Use Committee. He also served as a member of the committees on Economic Development, Education, Higher Education, Environmental Protection, and Operations.

In 2001 Carrión won a hotly contested race to become Borough President of The Bronx. During his time in office, Carrión ushered in an era of building and economic growth in The Bronx that created thousands of new jobs. His efforts helped increase annual investment in the borough from $361 million in 2002 to almost $1 billion in 2008. During his tenure, he spearheaded the development and rehabilitation of 40,000 housing units, 50 new schools, and two million square feet of office and commercial space. Working with the Governor, the Mayor, and his colleagues in the NYC Council and the NYS Assembly, Carrión shepherded the plan for a new Yankee Stadium and the revitalization of the area surrounding the stadium by including new parks, transportation and retail.

In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed Carrión to be his Deputy Assistant and first Director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs. In this new role, Carrión was charged with executing the President’s agenda to revitalize our nation’s cities. Carrión’s work at the White House resulted in the establishment of a White House Urban Policy Working Group, as well as a comprehensive interagency review of the federal government’s engagement with urban and metropolitan areas. It was the first review of its kind in 30 years.

In 2010, Carrión was confirmed by the United States Senate as Regional Administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Region II, encompassing New York and New Jersey. He also served as HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan’s Advisor on Intergovernmental Relations. As Regional Administrator, Carrión was responsible for overseeing nearly $6 billion in HUD investments in New York and New Jersey.

After completing his posts in government service, Carrión founded Metro Futures, LLC, a consulting and real estate development firm. He also currently serves as Senior Advisor for Corporate Development of the CSA Group, the largest Hispanic-owned architectural, engineering, environmental services, consulting, construction and program management firm in the United States. He also is a principal at the Stagg Group – a real estate development firm in the NYC metro area.

Carrión holds a master’s degree in urban planning from the City University of New York at Hunter College, and a bachelor’s degree from Kings College.