Dr. Alfred B. Curtis Jr.
Commissioner Alfred B. Curtis, Jr. is past president and Chief Executive Officer of the United Nations Development Corporation. As President and CEO of UNDC, a $280 million public benefit corporation established by the New York State legislature, Honorable Dr. Curtis led the effort to develop and operate facilities for the United Nations community in New York City. Dr. Curtis was successful in the sale of the four-star United Nations Plaza Hotel, transacting one of New York City’s most significant privatization projects!
Currently, Commissioner Curtis is head of A. Boima Curtis & Associates, LLC, a consultancy firm based on Staten Island. Dr. Curtis is a certified lay speaker/servant, delivering speeches across the country as well as at Intermediate, High School and College graduation exercises. Dr. Curtis has at all times demonstrated his ability to be an astute leader, philanthropist, and role model to many, especially our youth. Along with his wife, Dr. Aurelia, they were named “Power Couple” by the Staten Island Advance newspaper.
Professionally active in the public and private sectors, Dr. Curtis was the first African/American from Staten Island appointed Commissioner of a New York City Agency. He served as Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development/Department of Youth Services. Additionally, he assumed responsibility as Executive Director of the City’s Inter-Agency Coordinating Council on Youth. A former Chemical Bank/ JP Morgan Chase executive, Commissioner Curtis attained the position of Division Head, serving dually as Operations Manager before his government service.
Dr. Curtis served on the Staten Island University Hospital Systems Board of Directors; the Board of Trustees of the City University of New York, heading the Faculty, Staff and Administration Committee, Fiscal Affairs Committee, with oversight of more than $2 billion, and served as the University Board’s Parliamentarian. He also served as a member of Staten Island 350th Anniversary Commemorative Planning Committee and was a member New York City Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee. Commissioner Curtis is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Richmond County Savings Bank Foundation and serves on the Audit committee; Trustee of Staten Island University Hospital Foundation, Trustee and Founding Lifetime member of the National Lighthouse Museum, Trustee and Sunday School Superintendent, Christ United Methodist Church, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Staten Island Employment Education Consortium; former Chairman, Staten Island Advisory Board of the Salvation Army; Life member, National Council of Negro Women; Life member of the NAACP; former member of the Board of Directors, Staten Island Community Services, Inc.; former Vice President, Finance, (CF&A) and chair of the Audit committee, NY Conference of the United Methodist Church, Chairman of the Parish Development Committee and former Chairman of the Board of Board of Directors of Global Medical Relief Fund.
Dr. Curtis is former President of Staten Island Community Television (CTV) and a current board member; former Commissioner of the Redevelopment of the Staten Island Naval Station; and past President of the Staten Island Chapter of the NAACP, (increasing membership by 300% in one year). He served on many other Boards, including the YMCA, Seamen’s Society for Children and Families and served on the Staten Island Borough President’s Ambassador for peace committee, to name a few.
Known as a great philanthropist, civil rights leader and humanitarian, Commissioner Curtis is the recipient of many honors, commendations, citations, proclamations and awards, including the prestigious New York Governor’s Award for African Americans of Distinction, the President’s Medal of honor from the College of Staten Island and Medgar Evers College; Humanitarian Award, Brown Bombers Social & Athletic Club, Inc.; Exclusive Outstanding Service Award, Christ Assembly Lutheran Church; Friendship Award, SI Turkish Cultural Center; Outstanding Service Award, Korean American Association; Special Recognition Award, Pakistani Civic Association; Outstanding Service Award, Temple of Faith Ministries; B.W. Harris Alumni Association/Tri State, Bishop George D. Browne Lifetime Achievement Award; Outstanding Service Award, CUNY University Student Senate; Emma Lazarus Award from the Associated Builders and Owners of Greater New York and was named “Man of the Millennium,” with an official proclamation issued by the New York City Council to authenticate this honor; recipient of “Most Influential Award”, SI Black Heritage; Special Achievement Award, Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas, (ULAA); selected one of the 100 powerful people on Staten Island by “City & State, NY”
A graduate of the College of Staten Island with degrees in Economics and Business Administration, Commissioner Curtis was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters Degree (Honoris Causa) L.H.D., by Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York.
Commissioner Curtis and his wife, Aurelia, have three children: Al III, is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force currently assigned as Commander at McGuire Air Force Base, Burlington County, New Jersey; Tiffany, is the proprietor and founder of Indwell Collaborative which partners with clients to develop initiatives for social change; and Gillian, is a director at Vayner Media, a full service global media conglomerate.
