News Flash

ROOSEVELT ISLAND – (April 11, 2018) –  Erica Spencer-EL, an employee of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation since 2007, was promoted Tuesday to the new Director of Community Relations position.

“We are happy to announce that Erica Spencer-EL, a long-time RIOC community relations manager has been promoted to the position of Director of Community Affairs,” said RIOC President Susan Rosenthal.  “Erica’s new position will encompass oversight of the community relations department, Island-wide events and the Roosevelt Island Youth Center,” she said. 

While serving in her previous positions as a Community Relations Specialist and Community Relations Manager, Spencer-EL demonstrated management success negotiating several internal and external RIOC partnership agreements, procedures and program agreements.

Some of those successes include:

·       The design and drafting of the first-ever operating procedures for the renovated RI Cultural Center

·       Establishing the Bike New York program on Roosevelt Island, a free bicycle workshop and training center for residents

·       Helping create several Island and Main Street beautification initiatives including seasonal street banners, holiday lamp posts and tree lights (working with co-sponsors Hudson Companies Inc.), the Motorgate Art Gallery and the soon-to-be unveiled Good Shepherd Garden rotating sculpture display featuring works from local artists.

RIOC Chief Operation Officer Shelton Hayes added, “during my time here, I’ve watched Erica grow professionally and I personally recommended her for this promotion with no hesitation.”

Other initiatives that Spencer-EL was responsible for include RIOC’s internal and external marketing and branding; the planning and implementation of eight annual community events, including Roosevelt Island Day, the Fall for Arts Festival and July 4^th event; as well as creating and managing RIOC’s first community-wide emergency alert notification system and the recent redesign and launch of the new RIOC website.

“During my tenure here at Roosevelt Island, I’ve worked hard to build sustainable relationships which not only allowed me to connect with our residents, but also resulted in my gaining a deep understanding of the community’s needs,” said Spencer-EL, who will supervise a staff of five employees including Jessica Murray, RIOC’s current communications and events coordinator.

“I’m looking forward to providing unique programming to benefit the Island’s evolving community of young adults, families, and our growing population of active and involved youth,” she said.

Spencer-EL is a Philadelphia native and a 2000 graduate of Temple University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Sports Science. She formerly founded an inner-city Fencing program in Houston, Texas and previously served in programs such as Nike P.L.A.Y. Corps and the National Youth Sports Program providing coaching, clinics and activities of non-traditional sports to children in underserved communities. 

She was a collegiate varsity team fencer, is a New York Yankees and Rangers fan and spends her free time engaged in activities with her four children.  She is also a member of A Better New York (ABNY), Black Women in Sports Foundation and the New York State Policy and Networking Group. 

For more information, contact Alonza Robertson, RIOC public information officer at alonza.robertson@rioc.ny.gov. Sign-up for the latest RIOC news, Island advisories and important updates via RIOC’s new website at rioc.ny.gov.

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