Cesar Joseph Claro

Cesar J. Claro was born and raised in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. After graduating from Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School, Cesar enrolled into majoring in Communication Arts. While in both high school and college, Cesar worked for St. Paul Reinsurance, based in lower Manhattan. After graduating St. John’s University in 1989, he spent one year working in the NYC Mayor’s Office.
Career
Cesar manages two not-for-profit organizations in Staten Island, New York. He is President and CEO of the and Executive Director of the Richmond County Savings Foundation (RCSF).
In 2007, Cesar Claro spearheaded a study that identified St. George, Staten Island as a prime area for retail development.
Two initiatives Cesar is currently spearheading is the aerial tramway, which is a proposal to construct a tram from Staten Island to lower Manhattan, and the push for the 2025 World’s Expo to be held on Staten Island at the former Fresh Kills Landfill site. Additionally, since 2014, Cesar has launched or is in the process of launching four Business Improvement Districts on Staten Island, more than any other individual in the history of the City of New York.
As Executive Director of RCSF since 1998, Cesar is a philanthropic leader managing an $80 million endowment created by the Richmond County Savings Bank in 1998. The Richmond County Savings Foundation has awarded grants totaling $55 million to more than 500 local not-for-profit organizations since its inception. Their service area includes parts of New Jersey, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, with a concentration on Staten Island. Cesar is most proud of the Richmond County Savings Foundation's involvement in two public art initiatives - Dolphin Sightings and Lions, Tigers and Bears...SI. Cesar envisioned and led the effort for the Staten Island Farm To City Exhibit at the Museum of The City of New York (9/12 through 2/13) and soon to be housed at the Staten Island Museum. Most recently, Cesar completed the Richmond County Savings Foundation Green Challenge, which has invested over $200,000 in 30 green initiatives on Staten Island.

Cesar served on Mayor-Elect Michael Bloomberg’s transition team, is Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Staten Island appointee to the NYS Regional Economic Development Council, and served on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Workforce Training Committee.
Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation
From 1992 through 1994, Cesar was Executive Director of the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SWBIDC). Cesar was responsible for the reorganization and re-launch of SWBIDC after it had been shut down for several months. Within two years, he made SWBIDC a force within the Sunset Park, Brooklyn community by securing NYS Empire Zone designation, initiating multiple services, rebuilding its Board and Membership, and hosting several high profile events.
South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation
Cesar began his career in economic development working out of a storefront in Red Hook, Brooklyn. From 1990-1992, he was Director of Economic Development for the South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation. This organization served both industrial and manufacturing businesses. There, Cesar administered an employment program, organized mini-conferences and assisted businesses with their various concerns.

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