Michael J. Garner

After a thirty plus year career in diversity, with stops at NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA), the NYC School Construction Authority (SCA), and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, State of New York (MTA), Mayor Eric Adams appointed Michael J. Garner as the City of New York’s first Chief Business Diversity Officer. Under the leadership of Mayor Adams, Garner will be responsible for driving the Mayor’s aggressive MWBE Vision of awarding $25 billion in contracts to NYC certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises by 2026 and $60 billion by 2030.

By creating new and innovative MWBE programming, Mr. Garner and his teams have been responsible for more than $20 billion in payments made to NYC/NYS certified MWBEs at three major government organizations.

Regional and National Accomplishment

During his tenure at the MTA, out of 97 NYS Agencies and Public Authorities the MTA was ranked number one in dollars paid to NYS certified MWBEs that represented 30% of all payments made by New York State during that time period. During NYS Fiscal Year 2020/21and 2022/23, the MTA paid over $1.7 billion to NYS certified MWBEs and an additional $891 million paid to certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, (DBEs), on USDOT funded Contracts. In focusing on the “Disparity within the Disparity” 37% of those dollars were paid to Black and Hispanic owned Businesses.

Recently, in July of 2021, Michael was selected by Crain’s New York Business, as “Top Diversity and Inclusion Officer of the Year.

In addition, Mr. Garner is an advisor on MWDBE matters to various U.S. Cities and States, including the City of Buffalo, City of Chicago, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the State of New Jersey.

Mr. Garner’s innovative programming has ensured access to government contracts for communities of color. As a result, those communities now have access to job creation, home ownership, better educational opportunities, and health care options.