Early on in our permitting work, it became clear that we needed to find project managers to keep track of permit applications. These individuals would act like the support staff in a doctor’s office. They would keep track of all the applications (patients) that needed to be tended to. They would guide them through the pre-application phase (height, weight, medical history). They would schedule additional appointments if necessary and follow-up if there were any issues.
I’m excited to announce that in late October, we onboarded two Project Managers, Eli Niyihankuye and Mediha Salkic! Eli and Mediha do a ton for our Permit Team. However, the basic summary of their job description is that they shepherd permits through the application process. I’d like to take the opportunity to introduce both of them.
Eli Niyihankuye
My name is Eli Niyihankuye. My nationality is Burundian; however I was born in Congo and raised in Tanzania as a refugee until the age ten. In 2007 my family migrated to the United States. We relocated to Syracuse in the summer of 2012 and it’s been home to me ever since.
After graduating from Henninger High School, I attended Buffalo State College for two years and then transferred to LeMoyne College to complete my studies, because I love my home and wanted to be back in Syracuse! In the summer of 2019 I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Management, and now feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to work for the City of Syracuse as a Project Manager. I’ve enjoyed living in Syracuse thus far, and I look forward to my future here!
Mediha Salkic
While life circumstances prompted my move to Syracuse a little over a year ago, the city’s diversity and capacity for growth have anchored me. I am thrilled to be working with the Central Permit Office as Senior Project Manager! I look forward to serving the city I quickly grew to call home.
My position with the Central Permit Office provides me the opportunity to positively impact neighborhood and economic development by means of improving the management of building permits tied to impactful projects—both large and small. A more efficient permitting process translates to increased accessibility to development within the community and largely translates to the betterment of the community as a whole. It is a remarkable time to be involved in the city’s transformation, and that notion alone is invigorating!
When I am not managing projects, I can be found spending time with new friends and family, enjoying Syracuse’s historic neighborhoods, supporting local teams and businesses, and/or discovering all that this region has to offer!