BREAKING NEWS, Upheaval At The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp - RIOC Vice President Of Operations Fernando Martinez Resigns

 Image of RIOC VP Of Operations Fernando Martinez (center) at 11/15 Ops Committee Meeting

Earlier today, I sent the following inquiry to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting President Don Lewis, Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez and the Board of Directors:

I understand that Fernando Martinez will be leaving his position as Vice President of Operations for the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)

Is that true? If so, does RIOC or anyone else have a comment or statement to make on the matter?

I intend to publish at approximately 12 PM today that Mr. Martinez will be leaving RIOC so please let me know if that is not accurate and if there is any comment.

RIOC Board Director Faye Christian replies:

Regretfully this is true. RIOC Board accepts Fernando's resignation

There have been rumors flying around Roosevelt Island for awhile about big changes coming to RIOC, particularly since:

• former RIOC President Leslie Torres abrupt departure on September 21, 
• the selection of General Counsel Don Lewis as Acting President replacing Ms. Torres, 
• the attempt by the RIOC Board to hire an Executive Search firm to find a new President 
• which appears to be delayed/squashed following the RIOC Board meeting with Govenor Cuomo's Secretary Larry Schwartz

Reasons for Mr. Martinez resignation are not known as yet. He will be difficult to replace since he is so familiar with all aspects of Roosevelt Island and nobody on the current staff has his detailed knowledge about Roosevelt Island.

This is a big deal, particularly with the many Roosevelt Island infrastructure issues that need to be addressed as well as coordination of the new Cornell NYC Tech Campus and Southtown Buildings 7-9.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE 8:50 PM - RIOC Board Director Howard Polivy reports that Mr. Martinez's resignation is effective December 21.