Brian W. Simon is Director of the firm’s Government Relations Group. Mr. Simon is based in the firm’s New York City office, where he focuses primarily on transportation and infrastructure, as well as provides legislative and regulatory guidance to Fintech firms, bank partnership platforms, small business lenders, and lastly, assists real estate clients on large to medium development projects.
Formerly a member of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration, with an appointment as Director of Government & Community Relations at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Mr. Simon is especially adept in shepherding significant developments through project review and construction. While at the Port Authority, concurrently, he also managed the Office of Strategic Planning & Analysis. Mr. Simon worked closely with the Executive Chamber to advance the Governor’s vision and policy agenda regarding transportation infrastructure while promoting a strategically critical transit-oriented development agenda within the Port Authority. He has experience managing transportation planners and policy experts responsible for monitoring and influencing the policies of the White House, the United States Congress, the State Legislature, among other entities.
Prior to serving in Cuomo’s administration, Mr. Simon served as a senior staff member in the United States Congress. Some of his positions included: Deputy State Director to US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Executive Director to Congressman Gregory Meeks. In 2004, he was tapped by Senator John Kerry’s presidential campaign where he served as the national Deputy Director for African-American Affairs.
