|
||
|
NEW YORK — On March 8, 2014 Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his nomination of Meera Joshi to serve as Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). Joshi will bring a wealth of experience to the agency having worked in city government for more than a decade. She most recently served as General Counsel at the TLC where she supported the regulation of more than 160,000 licensees and personally oversaw a portfolio of initiatives. These initiatives have brought new and better service to thousands of New Yorkers at the same time prosecuting financial injustices against victimized taxi drivers. Joshi was also instrumental in the city’s landmark commitment to 50 percent wheelchair accessibility by 2020, and the requirement that all taxicabs be crash tested to federal standards by the end of 2014. Joshi’s commitment to collaborative communication and her record of management and innovation make her the ideal candidate to lead the Taxi and Limousine Commission. |
 |
“Meera Joshi is a dedicated public servant with the experience and energy to move our Taxi and Limousine Commission in a progressive direction ensuring we prioritize New Yorkers’ safety,” said Mayor de Blasio. “I look forward to the City Council’s consideration and consent of her appointment.”
“It is an honor to be nominated to serve as Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of the Taxi and Limousine Commission,” said Taxi and Limousine Commission Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer nominee Meera Joshi. “I am committed to the de Blasio administration’s agenda of providing equitable taxi and for-hire transportation services and safe streets for all New Yorkers.”
“On behalf of the thousands of yellow taxi and livery drivers we represent, the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers commends Mayor de Blasio on the appointment of Meera Joshi as Chair of the Taxi and Limousine Commission,” said Fernando Mateo, president of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers. “We are confident that we will be able to work with Ms. Joshi in ensuring the city’s thousands of drivers are treated fairly and that the taxi industry continues to be a beacon of economic opportunity for New Yorkers and their families.”
“Meera Joshi’s sense of justice was evident in everything the TLC did to protect drivers from financial predators,” said New York Taxi Workers Alliance Organizer Bhairavi Desai. “She’s tough, she’s fair, and she truly understands that drivers are the heart of the taxi industry.”
“Meera Joshi is a consensus builder,” said Cira Angeles, spokesperson for the Livery Base Owners Association. “In the time I have known and worked with her, her
professionalism in making sure that every voice was heard – while adhering to the factual bottom line – has been a critical factor in getting important things done. In this Women’s History Month, I am so proud to see Mayor de Blasio make such inspiring choices for his administration.”
“The Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade applauds Mayor de Blasio for appointing Meera Joshi as Chair of the Taxi and Limousine Commission,” said Ron Sherman, President of The Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade.
“We look forward to working with her on Vision Zero and other initiatives that make taxis safer for drivers, passengers and pedestrians.”
About Meera Joshi:
Meera Joshi has served New York City residents for more than a decade. She brings to the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) deep experience and knowledge of the issues surrounding the fair and equitable provision of taxi and for-hire transportation services throughout the five boroughs.
Most recently, Joshi served as the Deputy Commissioner of Legal Affairs, General Counsel for the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission. During her tenure there, Joshi led dozens of multiparty negotiations of contracts and settlement agreements which have improved customer service. In keeping with her background in government oversight, exposing abuses of power, Joshi made great strides in driver protections revealing financial abuses, supervising significant reimbursements to drivers and their families, and overseeing the prosecution of those responsible.
Joshi brings a strong commitment to ensuring that city government and its employees are held to the highest standards. She previously served as the First Deputy Executive Director of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB). While in this position, she implemented an innovative pilot program with the NYPD that culminated in the creation of an independent prosecution unit. The unit expanded the agency’s jurisdiction and sphere of influence.
She also served as Inspector General at the Correctional Services Unit at the New York City Department of Investigation where she oversaw investigations of alleged criminality and corruption in the Departments of Correction, Probation, Juvenile Justice and the TLC.
Joshi received her B.A. and J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.