Fred Cerullo’s career neatly weaves together serving the Staten Island community, the City at large, and his love of acting

by JENNIFER VIKSE • Photos By amessé photography

Behind a contagious smile and piercing eyes, Alfred Cerullo—affectionately known to friends and family as Fred—is a man of conviction. With his focus ever on the community, his career has been to serve not only Staten Island, but New York City as a whole. But no matter what his title these days, his heart remains on the island.

Cerullo is currently the President/ CEO of the Grand Central Partnership (GCP) and a Commissioner of the New York City Planning Commission. He served on the City Council representing the South Shore before becoming one of the youngest New York City Commissioners when he was tapped to run the city’s Department of Consumer Affairs, and later becamethe City Commissioner of Finance. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and American Studies from St. John’s University. A member of the bar in New York, New Jersey, California, and Washington, D.C., he earned his JD from St. John’s University School of Law.

Resume aside, to understand what makes Cerullo tick, one must go back to the beginning.

As a boy of two in 1964, he moved to Great Kills with his parents. That neighborhood, he noted with emphasis, was markedly different then. Growing up on Fieldway Avenue, he remembers that the roads were dirt—the area a collection of young families surrounded by woods.

“Rural Staten Island—that was my experience,” he said from his office at the GCP, where beautifying neighborhoods is his current business. (The GCP revitalized the neighborhood surrounding Grand Central Terminal in the eighties and now serves as a model for how city centers can undergo resurgences.)

His fond memories of growing up in Great Kills—complete with a rope swing and pond—have shaped who he became.

“Growing up in a brand new neighborhood, those are the experiences that help shape you. There was a lot of adventure at that time. There weren’t communication mechanisms; you went out and played, and your parents didn’t see you until it was time to eat dinner. Today we live in a different world. Children wouldn’t be permitted to run around the woods all day. Growing up in that environment and watching—in a five- to ten-year period—that area become a community…learning about the [importance of] parents, friends, trust, being responsible—it all grew out of growing up in Great Kills.”

Cerullo attended both PS 53 and IS 24, then Tottenville High School. He then went on to St. John’s University and decided to study law. Though his parents dreamed of having a doctor in the family, Cerullo confided that he passes out at the sight of blood, so that was clearly not an option.

Cerullo opted for law school, understanding from a young age that his tongue would “be the death” of him, or so said his father. “I could always make an argument, I could debate issues. I was always interpreting stuff. I was never shy,” he quipped. “I realized that the law might be a place for me to land. I’m a huge advocate for law school, but I never actually practiced traditionally. I love that I have the degree, though. It was an educational experience, and a social one, that was very valuable to me.”

The degree also launched his career.

“I would not have ended up with the career that I had had I not gone to law school,” he said, recalling early professional days; his first job was as a legislative aide to then City Council Member Susan Molinari in 1986, where Cerullo got an education in city government including legal writing, legislation, constituent services, and budget.

When Molinari left for Congress, Cerullo, a Republican, decided to throw his hat in the ring, having worked in the office for four years. Although only 27 years old at the time, his “bizarre enjoyment of government and politics,” sealed the deal. “I saw an opportunity to participate in a whole new way, roll up my sleeves, and participate as me,” he recalled

After weighing the pros and cons of running in that special election and witnessing how many volunteers came out to support him, there was no looking back. He won by 111 votes in his first race and ran three more times, weathering four campaigns in three and a half years. He served the South Shore and part of the mid-island during that time. In 1993, Rudy Giuliani was elected Mayor of the City of New York and Cerullo’s career path took another turn. Having served on Giuliani’s transition team, he was asked to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs, one of the youngest commissioners in the city’s history.

“I certainly wasn’t planning on leaving the council when I did,” said Cerullo. “I knew that Staten Island was going to get a lot of positive attention from the administration. I knew Rudy would change the city. There was a sort of excitement about being on the team to make that happen. I would still be able to do great work for Staten Island—different than the council, but still good work.”

As commissioner, Cerullo focused on bridging the gap between local businesses and the department, which had previously looked at businesses as the enemy. After ten years, he was tapped by the Mayor to head the Department of Finance. “You don’t say no to the Mayor,” he laughed, noting that for approximately six months, he ran both agencies simultaneously. While the task was exhausting and burdensome, Cerullo flourished under the pressure. “I function better when I’m busier,” he explained.

After taking a quick break to serve as Giuliani’s Deputy Campaign Manager in 1997, he returned to finance for another year, then accepted the role at GCP. “It’s very rewarding to me. I have the privilege of overseeing the Grand Central neighborhood,” he said. “For me, it’s perfect because it enables me to be a liaison and ambassador for the business community, the tourism community, and property owners and developers. The GCP is a quasi-public private partnership. It’s private sector day-to-day, but its accountability grows out of city government. We’re creating a neighborhood and a sense of place. It fits very neatly for me.”

At this point in his career, Cerullo couldn’t be happier about his path. The GCP board allows him the flexibility to still serve as a commissioner of the New York City Planning Commission, a post he was tapped for by then Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

“I’ve remained a public servant,” Cerullo said. “I’m fortunate that I still have that position. I remain active in Staten Island land use and zoning…critical issues for the borough. In city planning, we work on preserving neighborhoods.”

When Cerullo isn’t working, he serves on the Boards of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, the Staten Island Foundation, the American Museum of Natural History Planetarium Authority, the St. George Theatre Restoration, Inc., and St. John’s University School of Law Alumni Association.

In addition to everything else in his portfolio, Cerullo, a St. George resident, is also a card carrying member of the Screen Actors Guild.

“I’m one of those who was born with the bug,” Cerullo smiled. “I learned quite young that I enjoyed acting.”

While he wanted to be in film, hitting the books came first. “My parents were very focused on education; whatever followed, followed. I went out and did the headshots, knocked on doors. I did all that stuff young actors do,” Cerullo recalled.

“Then one day it happened.”
He found himself doing lots of “extra” work and gained the coveted SAG card. His schedule has allowed for appearances in daytime dramas, films, movies made-for-television and cable, and a number of stage productions.

“Daytime soap operas became a favorite place for me to land,” he reflected. “They were easier to manage time-wise.” He got his first gig on All My Children in 1988, and among other parts, he appeared as a bodyguard to character Dorian Lord on One Life to Live for almost 22 years.

All things considered, Cerullo considers himself more than blessed, having the opportunity to do the things he loves on a variety of fronts.

“I am so fortunate to be in the place I am and still enjoy everything I get to do,” he offered with a smile. “I’m a really lucky guy.”

Grand Central Partnership
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