Commission appoints Thurston Thor Kozlovsky as OCII executive director; employment agreement approved

The Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure voted April 14 to appoint Thurston Thor Kozlovsky as executive director of the successor agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City and County of San Francisco and to authorize his employment agreement.

Interim Director Jim Morales told the commission the hire concluded a monthslong search that included interviews and vetting by the commission and its search firm; Morales described Kozlovsky as having "extensive qualifications" including prior work for the successor agency, private development experience and community ties. Monica Stein, the commission's human-resources manager, said she had no additions to the presentation but would answer questions if asked.

Commissioner Scott moved to "permanently appoint Mister Thurston Thor as executive director for OCII," and Commissioner Brackett seconded. The roll call vote on item 5(a) recorded Commissioner Brackett, Vice Chair Rosales, Commissioner Scott and Chair Miguel Bustos voting yes; Commissioner Alex Ludlam abstained. Madam Secretary announced the vote as "4 ayes, 1 abstention," and Chair Bustos declared the motion carried.

Vice Chair Rosales then moved to authorize execution of the employment agreement with Kozlovsky; Commissioner Brackett seconded. The roll call on item 5(b) produced the same tally: four ayes, one abstention. Chair Bustos again announced the motion carried.

Commissioner Alex Ludlam, who said he was "honored to be here" for his first meeting, told the commission he "do[es] intend to abstain in my vote on these items today," and emphasized his support for the candidate despite the abstention.

After the votes, Chair Miguel Bustos publicly thanked the search firm and staff, and praised Interim Director Jim Morales for his work during the transition, saying Morales has been "a steady hand in this and have done an incredible job of just making sure that this...organization has been able to just seamlessly do its job." The commission received no public comment on the items.

Both actions were recorded as formal motions on the commission agenda under resolutions numbered in the 2022 series (the secretary read Resolution No. 8-2022 for the appointment and Resolution No. 9-2022 for the employment agreement). The meeting adjourned at 11:23 a.m.