Neil David Levin
Neil David Levin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 11, 2001 (aged 46) North Tower, World Trade Center, New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Superintendent of Banks; Superintendent of Insurance |
| Years active | 1995–2001 |
| Known for | Executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; victim of the September 11 attacks |
Neil David Levin (September 16, 1954 – September 11, 2001) was a prominent American executive and public official who held the position of executive director at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from April 2001 until he perished in the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center.
Early life
Levin was born and raised in Brooklyn.
Career
He earned his degree from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. In February 1995, New York Governor George Pataki appointed him as Superintendent of Banks, placing him in charge of the state's banking regulatory authority and as Chairman of the State Banking Board. Levin took over from acting Superintendent Carmine M. Tenga and was eventually succeeded by Elizabeth McCaul.
In 1997, Governor Pataki designated Levin as Superintendent of Insurance, where he was responsible for regulating New York’s insurance industry. Additionally, he led the Commission on the Recovery of Holocaust Victims' Assets, which worked to return assets to affected families within New York.
At the beginning of 2001, Levin was appointed executive director of the Port Authority by Pataki along with New Jersey Governor Donald DiFrancesco. In this role as chief executive officer, he oversaw critical infrastructure such as the World Trade Center, multiple bridges and tunnels in the region, three principal airports, seaports across New York and New Jersey, and international trade initiatives. Levin served in this capacity for five months prior to his untimely death.
September 11 attacks and death
Levin’s office was located on the 67th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. On September 11, 2001, he was dining at the Windows on the World restaurant situated on the 106th and 107th floors. When American Airlines Flight 11 struck between floors 93 and 99, escape routes above floor 91 became inaccessible, leaving Levin trapped with approximately 800 others in the upper sections of the tower. His remains were discovered in April 2002, nearly seven months following the tragedy.
Prior to the collision, Levin spoke with his executive adviser Karen Eastman by phone; she later recounted their immediate response to both the impact and subsequent tremors within the building.
Personal life and legacy
Levin lived in Manhattan.
He is honored at the North Pool, Panel N-65, of the National 9/11 Memorial and is interred at Mount Lebanon Cemetery located in Glendale, Queens, New York.
In recognition of his contributions, Governor George Pataki and the State of New York established the Neil D. Levin Graduate Institute of International Relations and Commerce at the State University of New York system bearing his name.