Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced today that Jonathan Mintz has been appointed Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). Mintz has served as the Department's Acting Commissioner since May 2005, and previously served as a Deputy and Assistant Commissioner at DCA.

"As a senior member of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Jonathan has been central to every one of the Department's successes over the last four years," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Jonathan has expanded New Yorkers' access to the Earned Income Tax Credit, helped keep cigarettes out of the hands of minors, and successfully resolved consumer complaints to 311.  With his remarkable experience, I know Jonathan will excel in this new position and continue to help make New York City the best place in the world both to live and to do business."

"Businesses and consumers enjoy a vibrant marketplace in New York, one that thrives on openness and fair dealings," Commissioner Mintz said. "I'm honored and humbled to be able to lead Consumer Affairs as it plays an ever more important role in ensuring this vitality."

The Department of Consumer Affairs helps foster a fair and competitive consumer marketplace. During Commissioner Mintz' tenure, DCA has cut the wait time at the Department's Licensing Center by one-third despite large increases in the number of applicants, increased the amount of restitution awarded to consumers through mediation efforts, and worked to end deceptive advertising practices. DCA has also increased the number of qualified New York City residents taking advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, cracked down on the sale of illegal fake guns, and prevented tobacco retailers from selling products to minors. Commissioner Mintz has also worked to streamline the functioning of the Department's internal operations and collaborated on a broad range of initiatives with other City and State agencies. 

Before joining the DCA, Mintz worked in the fields of law and education.  He was Head Teacher and taught second grade at the Little Red School House in Greenwich Village and was a member of the founding faculty of the Roger Williams University School of Law.  Commissioner Mintz taught at the Chicago Kent College of Law and practiced at San Francisco's McCutchen Doyle Brown and Enersen.   Mintz earned his Juris Doctor from Cornell University, holds a Masters degree in Education from the Bank Street College and a BA from Indiana University.  Commissioner Mintz lives in Manhattan with his partner, Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt, and their two daughters Maisie and Georgia.