# John Gallagher

> John Gallagher is the New York-based chief executive officer of Mercury Public Affairs, where he directs firm strategy, business development and client service. His nearly three-decade career has moved through the New York State Senate, statewide campaigns, Lower Manhattan's post-September 11 rebuilding, the Bloomberg administration, Tishman Construction and Mercury. He joined Mercury as a managing director in 2012, became a partner in 2017, president in 2022 and CEO in June 2026.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at Mercury Public Affairs
- **Organizations:** Mercury Public Affairs, Tishman Construction Company, AECOM, Office of New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, New York State Senate, New York League of Conservation Voters, Empire State Pride Agenda
- **Education:** B.A. in Political Science, University at Albany, M.A. in Communication, University at Albany
- **Known for:** Advanced from managing director to partner, president and chief executive officer during fourteen years at Mercury Public Affairs., Led communications connected to the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan after the September 11 attacks while at the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation., Served as a press secretary and spokesman for New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

## Career timeline

- **Early career** — Held senior communications roles in the New York State Senate and directed media strategy and messaging for statewide political campaigns.
- **2005** — Became director of communications at the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.
- **2006** — Was elected LMDC vice president for communications, helping lead communications for the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan after September 11.
- **2006-2008** — Served in the Bloomberg administration as a press secretary and spokesman, including work on economic development, PlaNYC and the city budget.
- **2008-2012** — Led public affairs at Tishman Construction through its acquisition by AECOM, overseeing communications, crisis response and government relations.
- **2012** — Joined Mercury Public Affairs as managing director.
- **2017** — Became a partner at Mercury.
- **2019** — Joined the board of the New York League of Conservation Voters.
- **2021** — Was included at No. 78 in City & State New York's Pride Power 100.
- **2022** — Was named president of Mercury Public Affairs.
- **2023** — Mercury ranked No. 11 on City & State New York's Political PR Power 50 under Gallagher's New York communications leadership.
- **2026** — Succeeded founder Kieran Mahoney as chief executive officer of Mercury Public Affairs in June.

## Achievements

- Advanced from managing director to partner, president and chief executive officer during fourteen years at Mercury Public Affairs.
- Led communications connected to the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan after the September 11 attacks while at the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.
- Served as a press secretary and spokesman for New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
- Oversaw crisis management, corporate communications and government relations at Tishman Construction through its acquisition by AECOM.
- Joined the board of the New York League of Conservation Voters in 2019.
- Was included in City & State New York's 2021 Pride Power 100.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Became chief executive officer of Mercury Public Affairs as founder Kieran Mahoney moved to executive chairman; Michael Soliman became president and Tom Doherty chief operating officer.

## Links

- Website: https://www.mercuryllc.com/team/john-gallagher/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngallagher-nyc

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/john-gallagher
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22