Planning 'Oracle' Robert Yaro to Retire from Regional Group; Longtime Head of Planning Organization Was Ready to Back Unpopular Causes
Robert Yaro, a fierce advocate for the New York City region in an era that included a deep disinvestment in public infrastructure, rugged recessions and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, is retiring from his post running the Regional Plan Association.</br></br>He will be succeeded by Thomas Wright, the organization's executive director.</br></br>Mr. Yaro is "kind of like an oracle for the industry. Everybody wanted to hear what he wanted to say on any subject," said Janette Sadik-Khan, a principal at Bloomberg Associates, an international consulting organization, and a former New York City transportation commissioner. She is a former board member of the Regional Plan Association.</br></br>Mr. Yaro, 64 years old, came to the group in 1989 and became president in 2001, when he was thrust into the role of helping lower Manhattan rebuild after the terrorist attacks.</br></br>"All of the big systems were busted," he said of New York City when he started at the association. "It's been rewarding to see this place not only get back on its feet but become the center of the galaxy like it was when I was a kid," said Mr. Yaro, who grew up in Kew Gardens, Queens.