Bio
Frank Lettera’s leadership at the NYC Department of Sanitation is defined by a “first-in, last-out” work ethic. This ethic was forged in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx. Mr. Lettera grew up in a family that prioritized direct action, personally funding and distributing aid to the city’s homeless. He learned early on that public service is measured by tangible results, not intentions. Before joining the Department in 2007 as a sanitation worker, he spent years balancing multiple jobs to support his family. This period of professional grit now informs his ability to manage the immense operational scale of the nation’s largest waste management agency. Mr. Lettera’s impact is characterized by his tactical response to resource gaps and his commitment to the city’s aesthetic health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a quarter of the workforce was sidelined. As staff outages strained every level of operations, he stepped up to keep essential services moving, performing the work of Superintendent, Section 2 Supervisor, Garage Supervisor, and Setup Clerk, sometimes all at once, while continuing his regular duties as Supervisor. Now, as Assistant Chief in the Office of the Commissioner, he has operationalized the “Get Stuff Clean” initiative. This massive program cleaned over 19,000 previously neglected “No Man’s Land” locations and removed 15 million pounds of highway debris. By doubling graffiti removal to 7,500 properties and resolving tensions with Business Improvement Districts, Mr. Lettera has fundamentally improved the quality of life for millions of New Yorkers. His rise from the back of a truck to the Commissioner’s office is a testament to the power of a leader who understands every layer of the city he serves.
