On January 2, 2002, I came to the offices of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission where I began my tenure as Director of Public Affairs. Today, exactly two years later - I am the Executive Director of Public Affairs - and I would not want to work anywhere else.

I have always said that to me, the key to success is not the amount of money in your paycheck - but the amount of love you have for your job. And while I am happy to say that I have loved almost every job I have ever had - this one is by far the most enjoyable, the most interesting - and the most exciting.

The best thing about working for a City Agency that is part of the Mayor's Administration is that I am a part of the major issues and events that help shape the City I call home. My job here at the TLC is, along with my boss, Deputy Commissioner Allan Fromberg - who is more like a brother to me than a boss - to answer any media inquiries having to do with taxi-related issues in New York City. Whether a call comes in from The Daily News, ABC television, or 1010 WINS Radio - Allan and I must answer the reporter's questions to the best of our ability.

But our job is so much more than that.

In some cases, we get to deal with events that go far beyond the typical press call. For example, a new movie from 20th Century Fox called Taxi is coming out this Summer starring Queen Latifah as - of all things - a New York City taxi driver. When the movie was in pre-production - they called us at the TLC and we became consultants on the movie. Besides that movie, I have worked on How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days with Kate Hudson, a "sweeps week" episode of the Today Show where Matt Lauer traded places with my good friend, taxi driver David Pollack - and with Old Navy on a taxi promotion last winter with Kevin Bacon and the cast of American Idol.

While there have been many things that I have done at this job that I have fond memories of, the coolest thing I have ever done - and the one I am most proud of - is when my design for the new 2002 taxi medallion was accepted by the Commission. Each year, the TLC has a contest to choose the design for that year's medallion, which is bolted to the hood of all 12,187 yellow taxicabs. My design - which I did in Doug's memory - is a white background with a red, white and blue ribbon in recognition of all who we lost on September 11th. I was very honored that they chose my design, and every time I see one on the hood of a taxicab - I smile and think of Doug.

To be honest, there are days where the workload here at the TLC is overwhelming and Allan and I are going nuts. But despite the craziness of the day - I never dread coming to work here. While the work is very high profile and the position demands that you think on your feet - I could not see myself working anywhere else. I have worked in the private sector as well as other City agencies - but enjoy my job here at the TLC more than any other place I have ever worked and will continue to work here - as long as the meter keeps running.