Shelton J. Haynes is the President and CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC). He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization and is credited with bringing several projects to fruition. Under his leadership, the Corporation has made tremendous strides in the development of the Roosevelt Island community.
Haynes took the helm of RIOC in January 2021 and has since worked to make Roosevelt Island a desirable place to live and work. His first major project was the completion of the Riverwalk Neighborhood, a mixed-use development with retail, office, and residential space. The project was finalized with the help of several developers and has become a major attraction for visitors to the island.
In addition to the Riverwalk Neighborhood, Haynes has worked to bring a number of projects to Roosevelt Island. In December 2022, he announced the opening of a new youth center. The center will be used to provide recreational and educational programs to the island’s youth. Haynes also spearheaded the installation of a memorial honoring the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 2021.
Haynes has also worked to bring the sport of pickleball to Roosevelt Island. He partnered with Akeem Jamal to open the Roosevelt Island Pickleball Center in 2023. The facility will provide a safe and fun environment for the community to play the game.
Shelton Haynes is a lifelong Roosevelt Island resident, having grown up on the island. He attended the University of Rochester and earned a degree in business administration. After college, he worked in the banking industry before transitioning to the public sector. He has held a number of positions in municipal government and was appointed to the RIOC board in 2020.
Shelton Haynes is committed to making Roosevelt Island a vibrant and welcoming place. He has worked to bring much-needed development to the island and to create a sense of community and belonging. His efforts have made Roosevelt Island an attractive place to live and work, and his commitment to the island’s future is evident in the projects he has completed. Under his leadership, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation has become a force to be reckoned with.