Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. Appoints Ebony Young As Deputy Borough President And Michael Mallon As Chief Of Staff

Press release from the Office of the Queens Borough President:

November 3, 2021

Queens, NY — Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. announced the appointments of Ebony Young as the new Queens Deputy Borough President and Michael Mallon as the new Chief of Staff effective January 2022.

Rhonda Binda, who currently serves as the Deputy Borough President, and Franck D. Joseph II, who currently serves as Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor, will leave Queens Borough Hall in the coming weeks. Binda will work in the private sector and Joseph will explore other professional opportunities. Binda and Joseph were appointed Deputy Borough President and Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor, respectively, in December 2020 when the Borough President first took office.

“Ebony Young and Michael Mallon are talented individuals, demonstrating dedication to public service throughout their careers. Ebony’s track record in the non-profit and housing sectors and Michael’s work in government, including as my current Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, exemplify the kind of passion and perspective we need to move Queens forward. I look forward to serving with the incoming Deputy Borough President and Chief of Staff, and I can’t wait to continue the good work. In just ten months, the Queens Borough President’s office achieved so much, and Franck and Rhonda have been integral partners in what we’ve done. From launching the Gender Justice Initiative to working to place Queens on the map as a tech capital, Rhonda has been instrumental in getting the work started. As my first Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor, Franck has been my right hand and crucial in getting my office off the ground. From restructuring the office, launching new initiatives, and being a steady hand as a leader, I couldn’t be more thankful to have had him by my side. I thank them both for all they’ve done for our borough,” said Borough President RICHARDS.

“It is with great honor that I accept the opportunity to serve my neighbors as Deputy Borough President of Queens. I believe in the vision of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and I look forward to building a Queens that works for everyone alongside him and his team. The commitment to continue my longstanding history of thoughtful and impactful advocacy is unwavering, and I offer that successful track record of leadership to the people of Queens. I thank Deputy Borough President Rhonda Binda for all of the work she has done in moving the people of Queens forward ,” said incoming Deputy Borough President Ebony Young.

“I am deeply honored to be appointed to serve as Queens Borough President Richards’s next Chief of Staff. Borough President Richards has truly delivered for the World’s Borough over the past year, and I remain committed to working alongside him and incoming Deputy Queens Borough President Ebony Young to build upon that progress. I am grateful for the solid foundation Deputy Queens Borough President Rhonda Binda and Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor Franck Joseph have laid at Borough Hall and for all that they have done to lift up the community,” said incoming Chief of Staff Michael Mallon.

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve Queens’ 2.4 million residents under the dynamic leadership of Borough President Richards, who prioritized equity and alongside an incredible staff that reflects the unparalleled diversity of Queens. I took this role very seriously and it was deeply meaningful to serve in the same year Vice President Kamala Devi Harris broke a significant glass ceiling for women of color in politics. As the Borough and New York City turns the corner, I’ll be leaving this position but won’t be going far. I am always available to help my beloved borough and city, and I am excited for the new ideas Ebony Young will bring as the incoming Deputy Borough President,” said outgoing Deputy Borough President Rhonda Binda.

“I would like to thank Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for the opportunity to lead this dynamic team for the past year, and his strong support as I look to my next chapter. It has been a privilege to lead alongside the Borough President, working toward a more equitable and just Queens which centers our most vulnerable and overlooked. Michael Mallon is a thoughtful leader and the right person to continue the work started this past year in his new role as Chief of Staff. Ebony Young brings with her a wide range of experiences, which will enhance the office as the new Deputy Borough President. Congratulations to them both,” said outgoing Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor Franck D. Joseph II.

This press release was produced by the Office of the Queens Borough President. The views expressed here are the author’s own.