The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) has appointed longtime city budget expert Nathan Toth as its new chief financial officer, bringing more than three decades of experience in municipal finance and infrastructure oversight to the agency.
Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle announced the appointment on December 29, noting that Toth will oversee all budgetary, financial management, and procurement functions for the city’s primary capital construction agency. DDC currently manages a $34 billion project portfolio that includes major coastal resiliency initiatives, public safety facilities, and the Borough-Based Jails program tied to the planned closure of Rikers Island.
“Nathan has a strong track record of budgeting and procurement experience, particularly with how it relates to infrastructure and City government,” said Acting Commissioner del Valle. “His experience with the City Council and at OMB is invaluable, and his work for the School Construction Authority means he understands a lot of the process reforms we’re trying to implement in order to deliver projects faster and more efficiently, including becoming an authority ourselves. We welcome Nathan to the fold, where he’s already excelling in this critical position.”
Toth brings a broad range of public- and private-sector experience to the role. His previous government service includes senior positions as deputy director of infrastructure and economic development at the New York City Council, director of operations at the New York City School Construction Authority, and supervising analyst at the New York City Office of Management and Budget.
In the private sector, Toth most recently served as a principal at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, where he specialized in government relations and strategic communications. His earlier financial roles include budget officer at New York University and senior financial analyst at Reuters America Inc.
Toth holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and management science from the State University of New York at Cortland and a master of public administration from Baruch College.
As the city’s primary capital construction agency, DDC delivers public buildings and infrastructure on behalf of more than 20 city agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations receiving city funding. Under Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, DDC has completed 349 design projects and 285 construction projects, while taking on expanded responsibilities tied to climate resilience planning and criminal justice reform.
The agency has also made significant progress in advancing equity within the construction industry. During this period, DDC awarded approximately $3 billion to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises and achieved more than 37% M/WBE participation across its growing portfolio of design-build and alternative delivery projects.
DDC continues to pursue long-term reforms aimed at modernizing the city’s capital delivery process. In 2025, the agency released an updated Strategic Blueprint outlining changes to reduce delays and accelerate project timelines. One example is the Orchard Beach Maintenance & Operations Facility in the Bronx, which was completed at least 2.6 years faster than would have been possible under traditional lowest-bidder contracting methods.
With Toth stepping into the CFO role, DDC leadership expects to further strengthen fiscal oversight and advance reforms designed to deliver public infrastructure projects more efficiently across New York City.
Originally reported by Ian Michaels in Newyork City Government.
