Mets add former NYC cabinet member to front office

NEW YORK -- The Mets on Wednesday named Haeda Mihaltses, a former Michael R. Bloomberg cabinet member, to the newly created position of executive director of external affairs, where she will serve as the organization's main liaison with city, state and federal officials, as well as oversee relations with community stakeholders.

Mihaltses spent 12 years in the former mayor's administration as director of intergovernmental affairs, coordinating New York City's relationship with the federal government, New York State government and city government. The Bayside, Queens, resident also oversaw New York City's Hurricane Sandy relief efforts on Staten Island, contributing to efforts such as debris removal and food distribution.

Mihaltses joins a front office that has undergone a fair bit of restructuring since vice president of business operations Dave Howard left last March. The Mets never officially replaced Howard, instead delegating his duties elsewhere and naming Lou DePaoli to the newly created position of executive vice president and chief revenue officer.

The Mets worked closely with Bloomberg's administration in recent years to bring the All-Star Game to Citi Field. Currently, they are involved in a Willets Point redevelopment plan that would transform the area around Citi Field with swaths of new residential and commercial space.