Amid criticism for taking too long to fill major vacancies in his administration, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio chose Rick Chandler as the new commissioner of the Dept. of Buildings last month. Chandler replaces Thomas Fariello, acting commissioner, who took the helm after Robert LiMandri resigned at the end of last year.

A professional engineer, Chandler has served as Hunter College's assistant vice president of facilities. His prior experience includes serving as borough commissioner of Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx from 1995 to 2002.

"The stakes of this work are incredibly high," Chandler said in a statement. "We're there to make sure New Yorkers' homes and workplaces are safe. We're there to help get more affordable housing and job-creating construction under way."

The mayor also named are Richard Emery, as chair of the Civilian Complaint Review Board; as well as Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick  and Barry Cozier as chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Mayor's Advisory Committee on the Judiciary.

Since becoming mayor, de Blasio has been routinely questioned about when he would name a permanent replacement for LiMandri. Chandler fills the last of the administration's major posts.