New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the promotion of two longtime public servants to senior roles in the upper echelons of leadership of the nation’s largest municipal waste agency, swearing them into office in a ceremony at Sanitation’s Lower Manhattan headquarters. Javier Lojan will serve as the Department’s First Deputy Commissioner, the highest civilian rank in the department. Commissioner Lojan will oversee all of the Department’s Administrative functions including Operations Management, HR, Policy, and Strategic Initiatives, among other areas. Garrett O’Reilly will serve as Chief of Department, overseeing all uniformed and operational functions, including the Bureau of Cleaning and Collection, Safety and Training, Operations, and Regulatory Compliance, among other duties.
“I can think of no better person, no more qualified person for the role of Chief of Department. Garrett: when the heat is on, you remain so cool, and your determination and dedication are clear in every moment we work together,” Sanitation Commissioner Tisch remarked. “And Javier: you are one of the most thoughtful, analytical people I have ever worked alongside, with an unwaveringly pleasant and delightfully positive disposition, uniquely suited to serve as First Deputy Commissioner. As we take on more and more responsibilities cleaning and protecting the City, I am thrilled to have both of your diverse experience at the highest levels of the Department.”
Commissioner Lojan is being promoted following the retirement of former First Deputy Commissioner Salvatore Ceraulo, who completed his service to the City of New York in December 2022. Chief O’Reilly’s position, Chief of Department, is a new role for DSNY, and its creation brings the Department in line with other New York City uniformed agencies. Chief of Department is now the highest uniformed rank within Sanitation.
“I pledge to you all that I will give the role of First Deputy Commissioner 110%, as I always do, as I’ve always done in every role that I’ve had, going back to a San Worker in 1999. And I will continue to ensure that DSNY shines, as it always has done for the past 142 years. I promise you, I will not let you down,” said First Deputy Commissioner Lojan.
“It’s not the muscles that pick up that garbage. It’s not. It’s motivation, a belief, the feeling of support that we have for one another. I want to thank you all for putting your faith and trust in me and my experience, what I’ve built in a resumé and in relationships,” said Chief of Department O’Reilly.