Not very long after 9/11, on Election Day, November 6, 2001, billionaire Michael Bloomberg was elected Mayor, and thus began a renaissance in NYC. Bloomberg constructed one of the most dynamic, accomplished and results-driven city administrations that, in retrospect, has transformed the city on almost every level.

Alas, we are going to miss Mayor Bloomberg in New York. But rejoice, the Mayor has established Bloomberg Associates, an organization that will act as an urban SWAT team that will be deployed to help cities fix problems, design solutions, and foster a renaissance of the likes that we have enjoyed in New York. The secret sauce is that Bloomberg has hired most of his top deputies to drive Bloomberg Associates, and will write big checks to fund the initiative.

It is a brilliant and exciting idea. I am sad to see Mayor Bloomberg leave office, but I am excited that I will visit many cities that will begin to shine thanks to the Bloomberg team that was assembled in NYC.