With considerable experience in bringing corporations through strategic transformation, and working with large-scale operations requiring diverse expertise, Cecil House joined NYCHA as the new General Manager on Aug. 24. Mr. House most recently worked as Senior Vice President for Operations with Southern California Edison, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States with 18,000 employees. He also served as Senior Vice President for the Operations Support Business Unit, turning that unit into a high performer, and as the company’s Chief Procurement Officer.  

“When the plane landed, I thought to myself ‘finally, I’m back home’, said Cecil House, NYCHA’s new General Manager, who practiced law in New York City for 12 years. Just a few days after his arrival, Mr. House sat down for a brief interview to introduce himself to NYCHA employees and residents.

NYCHA General Manager Cecil House with NYCHA Chairman John Rhea. (Photo by LETICIA BARBOZA/NYCHA)

NYCHA: What has been your impression of NYCHA so far?

General Manager Cecil House: This morning on my second day, I went to a meeting of the maintenance workers and I was impressed with the level of the questions and the issues and the concerns that came up. What became very clear to me was the dedication, commitment and passion I saw from those employees.

NYCHA: What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of your role here?

GM House: This is a big organization and it’s got a lot of history and tradition and a very strong culture. We have a lot of opportunities to improve, to make sure that we maintain the housing stock for our residents, [and provide] a safe and secure place for people to live. Making those changes is going to require a lot of communication and cooperation from a lot of people. It’s going to be a challenge, but I think we’re going to get it done.

"I think that we have a commitment to residents to make sure that we provide safe and secure and comfortable housing from now and into the future." (Photo by LETICIA BARBOZA/NYCHA)

NYCHA: What would your message be, at this early point, to NYCHA employees?

GM House: My message to employees would be that I’ve already developed deep respect for the work that they do. In my decision to come here and join NYCHA, I already had a strong respect for the mission that NYCHA has. I think that maintaining the public housing that we have for the residents of New York is critically important. I’m just excited to join the team of our employees and to contribute in their success as we go forward.

NYCHA: What would your message be to NYCHA residents?

GM House: I would say that I believe that NYCHA is a rich and valuable resource for our communities and that I do hope that the residents appreciate it as such. On the flip side, I think that we have a commitment to residents to make sure that we provide safe and secure and comfortable housing from now and into the future. So we want to make sure that we maintain and continue that mission.

By Heidi Morales