Rob Walsh

Rob Walsh is a principal with JGSC Group where is responsible for strategic planning and developing client relationships. He has been actively engaged in community building, economic development and real estate issues for more than three decades, with extensive experience leading high profile organizations and leadership in the public sector.

In addition, he is an Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, and hosts a weekly radio segment on 1010 WINS. At Columbia University, he teaches a course titled, “Transforming the Urban Economy” and brings hands-on experience in economic development and revitalizing communities throughout New York City.

Before joining JGSC, Rob served as the Senior Advisor to the President at Manhattan College where he forged a number of key partnerships in the community, assisted with public service fellowships and a wide array of new initiatives. 

In January 2002, Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed him the Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services (SBS). During his twelve years, SBS became one of the city’s most innovative agencies in serving the needs of its 200,000 small businesses.

Rob re-energized the City’s business improvement districts and created 26 new organizations throughout the five boroughs. He also developed an award-winning commercial revitalization and neighborhood leadership program in partnership with the Coro Foundation. Under his leadership, seven NYC Business Solutions Centers were established that secured more than $200 million for small businesses in the last six years of his tenure. He introduced NYC Business Express an online tool for the license, permit, tax, and incentive information that businesses need to operate. He created a wide array of entrepreneurial courses and forged new partnerships with groups including the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, Interise, and the Kauffman Foundation. Walsh also built a new business-focused approach to the workforce system that placed nearly 200,000 people in jobs through 17 workforce career centers.

Rob also led the Union Square Partnership from 1989 to 1997, where he played an instrumental role in the neighborhood’s revitalization. During the 1980s, he worked in the administration of Mayor Edward I. Koch. He began his career in public service as a New York City Urban Fellow, a program he later directed. 

Before returning to New York, Rob served as President of Charlotte Center City Partners in North Carolina, an organization dedicated to improving and growing Charlotte’s central business district. In Charlotte, he led the Center City 2010 Master Plan that laid the groundwork for significant private and public investments, including additional housing, retail development, an NBA basketball arena, a minor league baseball stadium, and other public facilities and infrastructure.

Rob holds a Bachelors in Political Science and Masters in Public Affairs from Fordham University. He also participated in the Senior Executive Program in State and Local Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. His weekly radio segment, “The Bottom Line for Small Business,” can be heard on 1010 WINS every Monday and Friday during drive time.