Who We Are
Allen Lew
Principal, District of Columbia
Allen Y. Lew
Allen Y. Lew was appointed as District of Columbia City Administrator by Mayor Vincent Gray. He is a highly respected manager with more than 25 years of executive-level leadership as an administrator, problem solver and trouble shooter in both private and public sectors.
He has served as Executive Director of the District of Columbia Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization (OPEFM) where he dramatically affected the school construction program in the nation's capital. Since his appointment in June 2007, Mr. Lew orchestrated over $1 billion of construction and renovation work on DC Public Schools.
From 2004 until 2007, Mr. Lew was the chief executive officer of the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission where he managed the renovation of historic RFK Stadium and the development and construction of the new Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium. Mr. Lew also oversaw the operations of RFK as the interim home for the Washington Nationals from 2005 to 2007.
From 1996 until 2004, Mr. Lew served as the managing director of the Washington Convention Center Authority where he oversaw planning, development and construction of the award-winning Washington Convention Center. In 2003 he was appointed acting chief executive officer and general manager for the new convention center.
Mr. Lew's reputation as an innovative builder was established in New York. From 1992 to 1994, he served as the vice president of capital programs for the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. From 1988 to 1990, he was vice president of Rose Associates, Inc., a private commercial and residential development company. From 1983 to 1986, he served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation. In 1986 he also assumed the position of acting president and chief executive officer of the Operating Corporation and the New York Convention Center Development Corporation.
Allen Lew is a product of the New York City public school system. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the City College of New York School of Architecture. He also earned a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture and Planning.