Mayor Bill de Blasio today named Gregg Bishop Commissioner of Small Business Services, a promotion from his previous role as Deputy Commissioner of the agency’s Business Development Division.
Born in Grenada and raised in East Flatbush, Bishop has an impressive education resume including a Master’s in Integrated Marketing and Management Communication from The Florida State University, and being a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program. His work resume includes stints as Director of Web Operations at Oxygen Media, Vice President of Technology Operations at TheStreet.com, and beginning his career at VIBE Magazine helping to establish the publications brand during the pioneering days of the web.
If those credentials aren’t enough, BIshop’s down time is consumed with being an adjunct professor at Baruch College: School of Public Affairs and serving as Board president of Red Hook Initiative.
“Gregg hits the ground running. His resume speaks for itself. The work he has done to assist immigrants and women entrepreneurs proves no one is more qualified to support NYC’s small business community and run the agency than he is,” said de Blasio.
As Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services, Bishop is charged with running the agency – which helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for New York City’s diverse communities by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building a fairer economy in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
Bishop has served as Deputy Commissioner of SBS since early 2012, and started his career at SBS in 2008 under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He also has worked at leading media companies, such as Oxygen and VIBE.
As Deputy Commissioner of the Business Development Division, Bishop was responsible for NYC Business Solutions, Business Incentives, and Business Recovery – programs designed to make it easier for businesses to start, operate, and expand in New York City. He also managed the expansion of business services to immigrant and women entrepreneurs, the outer boroughs and collaborated with agencies such as EDC, DCA, HPD, and NYCHA to help build the capacity of entrepreneurs and operating businesses.
“As Deputy Commissioner of the Business Development Division, Gregg Bishop has been tremendous to work with to improve programs for immigrant-, women- and minority-owned small businesses,” said North Brooklyn Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez. “He has consistently worked with my office to help improve the City’s assistance for businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Small businesses are the cornerstone of our economy and I’m confident as Commissioner, Gregg will ensure SBS supplies support local entrepreneurs need to grow and create good jobs in our communities.”
Bedford-Stuyvesant City Council Member and Small Business Committee Chair Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. said, “Gregg Bishop is a consummate professional who is deeply committed to serving small businesses, both through established programs and by devising creative solutions to respond to developing challenges. I was privileged to work with him closely just last week on the launch event for Chamber on the Go, and observed the strong connections within his team firsthand. I applaud this appointment from within SBS with sincere enthusiasm and look forward to continuing to work with SBS under his seasoned leadership in the years to come.”
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Mayor de Blasio in selecting a clearly qualified candidate to take the helm of the Small Business Services agency,” said Council Member Jumaane Williams. “On a professional level, my office has worked closely with Commissioner Bishop on numerous occasions to enhance services to small businesses in my district. Whether we were hosting informational workshops or had a specific business problem that needed to be addressed, he was a tremendous resource for our community in helping continue the development of growing small business corridors on Nostrand Avenue or Avenue D in my district. On a personal note, I have known Gregg since our days as undergrads at Brooklyn College. It is with immense pride that I have this opportunity to congratulate a fellow CUNY alum, as well as a fellow son of Grenadian immigrants, who understands how important public service is to our community.”
“Congratulations to Gregg Bishop on his appointment as Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services,” said Brooklyn Chamber President & CEO Carlo A. Scissura. “Not only is Gregg a great Brooklynite, but he has a stellar record of helping New York’s small businesses open and grow stronger. He’s always been a pleasure to work with, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role to assist Brooklyn‘s businesses.”
