New York, Jan 02 (V7N) — Newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has retained Bangladeshi-American Mir Bashar in the city’s key Chief Administrative Officer role, marking a significant appointment in the city’s leadership.

Mir Bashar, a Bangladeshi-American public administrator, continues to serve as the Chief Administrative Officer of New York City under Mayor Zohran Mamdani. This is the first time a newly elected mayor has retained a Bangladeshi-American in this critical position, following Mayor Eric Adams’ tenure.

Mayor Eric Adams had originally appointed Mir Bashar, Crystal Price, and Alexandra Silver to the city’s executive leadership team on July 15, 2022. As Chief Administrative Officer, Bashar plays a central role in the day-to-day operations of City Hall, overseeing finances, budgets, contracts, and general administration. He is responsible for streamlining processes and improving operational efficiency while maintaining fiscal control.

Before taking on this role, Bashar served as Senior Director of Budget and Financial Planning in 2015, assisting agency heads in developing strategies to meet their goals and objectives. Over a 25-year career in public administration, Bashar has built a distinguished record in budget, procurement, and administrative leadership within the New York City government.

Born in Habiganj, greater Sylhet, Bangladesh, Bashar earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Long Island University. He later completed an MBA at the same university after earning an associate degree from Queens College. Prior to joining City Hall during Mayor Giuliani’s administration, he worked across various institutions in New York while continuing his education. Mayor Adams later promoted him in recognition of his exceptional performance.

Bashar comes from a family dedicated to public service. His father, Mir Abdul Latif, was a former commissioner of Habiganj municipality, and his mother, Rokeya Banu, served as a district education officer. Bashar is the fourth of six siblings and showed a strong dedication to education and community service from an early age. He completed his higher secondary studies at Brindabon Government College in Habiganj.

In the 1990s, Bashar’s family immigrated to the United States after winning an OP-1 lottery. In 2002, he married Selina Sultana in Bangladesh. She joined him in New York in 2004 and began teaching in the city’s public schools. The couple has two children: an 18-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son. They currently reside in the Pelham area of the Bronx.

Mir Bashar’s retention by Mayor Mamdani underscores the new administration’s commitment to experienced leadership and continuity in managing the city’s complex administrative and financial operations.

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