Design Trust for Public Space Appoints Eric Rothman as Board Chair

New York’s Design Trust for Public Space has appointed Eric Rothman as its new chair of the board of directors. He succeeds the Design Trust’s co-founder and board president Andrea Woodner, a member of Interior Design’s Hall of Fame, who will now focus on the non-profit’s donor group Founder’s Circle and its Hercules Art/Studio program for emerging artists.

“I’m very proud and excited,” Rothman says, “as I’m truly standing on the shoulder of giants: the legendary Design Trust founders Andrea Woodner and Claire Weisz.” Ms. Weisz, after serving the Trust as co-founder and co-director for almost 20 years, has also stepped down to focus on the Founder’s Circle and her own practice, WXY.

“I’m grateful to Andrea, Claire, and our indefatigable executive director Susan Chin for building such a strong organization,” Rothman says. “I look forward to working with our outstanding board and staff to ensure that the Design Trust for Public Space continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of New Yorkers.”

Rothman joined the Design Trust board in 2013, serving as co-chair and a member of the Executive and Finance committees. He was the Economic Policy Fellow for the Trust’s Taxi 07: Envisioning New York City’s Taxi System 10 Years Out project, and an economic advisor for its Made in Midtown and Making Midtown projects. He is the president of the real estate, economic development, and energy efficiency consulting firm HR&A Advisors.

The Design Trust for Public Space is perhaps best known for its work on NYC’s High Line; it also played a pivotal role in developing sustainability guidelines for what became the city’s Local Law and PlaNYC.

Photo by Liz Ligon/Design Trust for Public Space.