Having been with the organization since its inception, Rampe most recently served as executive vice president and general counsel. During his term as interim president, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the LMDC--an agency that was designed to organize the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan following the Sept. 11 attacks. He also assembled a team of executives to work on the redevelopment effort and negotiated agreements with partner organizations, such as the Port Authority.

Governor George E. Pataki and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced his appointment. "[Kevin] drew upon his many years of experience to help establish the LMDC," Pataki says in a statement, adding that Rampe has contributed to LMDC's "remarkable progress. A vision for the World Trade Center site has been selected and is now being implemented, transportation projects are underway, the memorial competition is in progress, Lower Manhattan's residential community has been stabilized and New Yorkers are optimistic."

LMDC Chairman John C. Whitehead agreed, noting that Rampe "helped to build this organization and has command of all the myriad of issues involved in the revitalization of Lower Manhattan."