Business publication Crain’s New York Business named MTA Chief Diversity Officer Michael Garner the “Top Diversity and Inclusion Officer.”
Garner started with the MTA in 2009 and has worked to get more minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) involved with the agency. Under his leadership as chief diversity officer, the MTA has outperformed every agency in New York by awarding billions of dollars to MWBEs, representing nearly 30% of the MTA’s contracts.
In total, more than $1.1 billion has been paid to state-certified MWBEs during Fiscal Year 2019/’20, which has created jobs in the Black community.
Prior to joining the MTA, Garner served as senior director of business development for the New York City School Construction Authority for over 15 years. He has also served on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s MWBE Team and Mayor Bill de Blasio’s MWBE Advisory Committee. He is currently a member of NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer’s MWBE Advisory Council.
Garner is the president of the founding chapter of One Hundred Black Men of New York City.