Secretary
On December 7, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Rich Baum to serve as Secretary. Mr. Baum served as Senior Advisor to Eliot Spitzer’s campaign for governor and Executive Director of the Governor-Elect’s Transition Office. He was appointed Chief of Staff for the Attorney General in 1999. He left that position in January 2006 to join the campaign. In 1993, at age 24 Mr. Baum was elected to the Orange County Legislature. He was the Minority Leader of the Orange County Legislature in 1994 and served on its Committee on Rules and Social Services.
Budget Director and Senior Advisor to the Governor
On December 7, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Paul Francis to serve as Budget Director and Senior Advisor to the Governor. Mr. Francis was the Policy Director for Eliot Spitzer’s gubernatorial campaign since February 2005 and was also Policy Director to the Governor-Elect’s Transition office. He was formerly the Managing Partner of the Cedar Street Group, a small venture capital firm which he founded in 2001 to invest in early stage technology companies. Mr. Francis was the Chief Financial Officer of Priceline.com from the company's formation in June 1997 to March 2000. Mr. Francis served in various roles for the Priceline WebHouse Club before starting the Cedar Street Group. Prior to joining Priceline.com, Mr. Francis was Executive Vice President-Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer of Ann Taylor Stores Corporation from 1993-1997. From 1986-1993, Mr. Francis was an investment banker at Merrill Lynch & Co., leaving as a Managing Director in 1993 to join Ann Taylor. From 1983-1986, he was an associate with the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and from 1980-1983, he was an associate with the law firm of Shearman & Sterling.
Policy Director
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Peter Pope to serve as Policy Director. Mr. Pope served as New York State Deputy Attorney General in charge of the Office’s Criminal Division. Prior to that Mr. Pope served in the Office of the Inspector General of the New York City School Construction Authority as Vice President and Inspector General from 1996-1999 and as First Assistant Inspector General and Counsel from 1995-1996. He served as Vice President of the Management Controls Department at Goldman Sachs from 1993-1995 and at the New York County District Attorney’s Office from 1988-1993. Mr. Pope clerked for the Honorable Robert W. Sweet in the Southern District of New York U.S. District Court from 1986-1987 and was a Legislative Assistant for the Honorable Charles B. Rangel from 1982-1983. Mr. Pope graduated from Harvard University in 1982 and Yale Law School in 1986.
Senior Advisor
On January 4, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Lloyd Constantine to serve as Senior Advisor. Mr. Constantine served as a Transition Co-Chair for Governor Eliot Spitzer. He is the current Chairman of Constantine Cannon, a commercial litigation firm in New York and Washington, DC. Mr. Constantine has extensive litigation experience at all levels of federal and state courts. Mr. Constantine is the former Assistant Attorney General in Charge of Antitrust Enforcement for the State of New York (1980-1991). He served as Chair of the Antitrust Task Force of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) from 1985-89. From 1998-1999, Mr. Constantine chaired the Transition Committee for incoming New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. He was a member of McDermott, Will & Emery from 1991 through March 1994 and devoted the first eight years of his career to the Legal Services program, representing indigents in civil rights and civil liberties litigation. Mr. Constantine also served as an Adjunct Professor of Antitrust Law at Fordham University School of Law from 1989 through 1996. He received his B.A. from Williams College and his J.D. from Columbia Law.
Counsel
On December 7, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint David Nocenti to serve as Counsel. Mr. Nocenti was appointed to serve as Counsel to the Attorney General in 1999. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Nocenti served as Counsel to Queens Borough President Claire Shulman. From 1990-1994, Mr. Nocenti served in the Counsel’s Office to Governor Mario Cuomo as Assistant Counsel and First Assistant Counsel. He was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York from 1986-1990, and was an associate at the firm of Chadbourne, Parke, Whiteside and Wolff in New York from 1983 to 1985. Mr. Nocenti graduated from Princeton University in 1980 and Columbia Law School in 1983.
Special Counsel
On December 21, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Richard Rifkin to serve as Special Counsel. Mr. Rifkin served as Deputy Attorney General for the State Counsel Division of the Attorney General's Office. From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Rifkin served as Executive Director of the State Ethics Commission. From 1979 through 1994, he served in several positions in the Attorney General's Office, including Counsel to the Attorney General and First Assistant Attorney General. Mr. Rifkin was admitted to the Bar and entered into the private practice of law in 1966. From 1970 to 1973, he served as staff counsel to Assemblyman Leonard Stavinsky. He was appointed Counsel to the Bronx Borough President in 1973. In 1979, Mr. Rifkin was appointed Deputy First Assistant Attorney General. In He received his B.A. from Washington and Jefferson College in 1962 and was awarded an LL.B. degree by Yale Law School in 1965.
Director of State Operations
On January 11, 2007 Governor Eliot Spitzer nominated Olivia Golden, Ph.D. to serve as Director of State Operations. Dr. Golden was a Senior Fellow and Center Director at the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. Dr. Golden’s career has combined senior positions in government, the advocacy world, and academia. From 2001 to 2004, she served as Director of the Child and Family Services Agency of the District of Columbia. From 1993 to 2001, she was appointed by President Clinton to positions within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, first as Commissioner for Children, Youth, and Families and then as Assistant Secretary for Children and Families. She has also served as Director of Programs and Policy at the Children's Defense Fund from 1991-1993, lecturer in public policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University from 1987-1991, and Budget Director for the Executive Office of Human Services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1983-1985. Dr. Golden received her B.A., Masters in Public Policy and PhD in Public Policy from Harvard University.
Appointments Secretary
On December 7, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Francine James to serve as Appointments Secretary. Ms. James served as Appointments Director to the Governor-Elect’s Transition Office and as Assistant First Deputy Attorney General to Attorney General Eliot Spitzer handling a variety of managerial, policy and legal issues. She oversaw the Legal Recruitment and Legal Training Bureaus of the office. Prior to joining the executive staff, Ms. James was in charge of the Attorney General’s Upper Manhattan/Bronx regional office. In her capacity as regional head, Ms. James developed programs, policy and initiated affirmative legal action that impacted directly upon the residents of that region. Prior to joining the staff of the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Ms. James worked for Robert Morgenthau, the Manhattan District Attorney. She held the position of an Assistant District Attorney for eleven years.
Chief of Staff
On January 4, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Marlene Turner to serve as Chief of Staff. For the past eight years, Ms. Turner served as Scheduler to Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. Ms. Turner began her career in 1972, working for the American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in both the corporate and news divisions. In 1978, she chose to leave ABC to raise her family. Ms. Turner received her B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1967 and her J.D. from Fordham University in 1972.
Deputy Secretary for Health
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Dennis P. Whalen to serve as Deputy Secretary for Health. Mr. Whalen was appointed Executive Deputy Commissioner for the State Department of Health on November 13, 1996. In his position as the State’s top deputy for health, he oversees the Department’s entire range of programmatic and operational functions, as well as advising the Commissioner on these and other related matters. From November 1998 to June 1999 he served as the Acting State Health Commissioner. Mr. Whalen previously served the Department of Health as the Director of the Office of Health Systems Management, and the Executive Deputy Director of the AIDS Institute. He also served in several senior policymaking positions at the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, including Deputy Commissioner for Program Services. He began his career with New York State at the Department of Health as a Public Health Educator. He is a graduate of Marist College and the National Preparedness Leadership Institute at Harvard University - Kennedy School of Government.
Deputy Secretary for Public Safety
On December 26, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Senator Michael Balboni to serve as Deputy Secretary for Public Safety and have day-to-day responsibility for managing homeland security affairs, emergency preparedness and response, and law enforcement. Mr. Balboni, an 18-year veteran of both houses of the state legislature, has extensive experience in security and law enforcement matters. Prior to this appointment he was the Chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs. He was the author of the state’s Anti-Terrorism Law of 2001 that mandates severe penalties for those who commit terror acts, make terror threats, or render assistance to terrorists. He also authored a 2002 law that helps protect the state’s water supply from terror attacks. In 2005, he authored the Chemical Plant Security Act, the first of its kind in the nation. In 2004, Mr. Balboni was appointed to serve on a national task force reviewing allocation of federal money for homeland security measures. In 2005, he was named Senior Fellow at the Homeland Security Policy Institute at George Washington University. In addition, he co-chaired the National Conference of State Legislatures Executive Task Force on Homeland Security. Mr. Balboni, a graduate of St. John’s University Law School, was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1989. He was elected to the State Senate in 1997.
Deputy Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Marty Mack to serve as Deputy Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs. Mr. Mack for eight years as Deputy Attorney General. From 1980 to 1998 Mr. Mack practiced law while working as a public servant in a variety of capacities. Mr. Mack served as Assistant District Attorney of Cortland County from 1980-1983, Cortland County Attorney 1984-1987, Mayor of the City of Cortland from 1988-1992 and Executive Chair of the New York State Democratic Party in 1998. Mr. Mack received his B.A. from Cornell University and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.
Senior Advisor for Intergovernmental Affairs
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Michael Schell to serve as Senior Advisor for Intergovernmental Affairs. Mr. Schell was Upstate Campaign Director for Eliot Spitzer’s last two campaigns. In 1995 he was a founder of the Democratic Rural Caucus, a coalition of upstate Democratic leaders in 41 upstate counties, and served as Chair twice. He was Executive Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee from 1999 to 2001. As an attorney in private practice for 32 years, he was president of the Jefferson County Bar Association and Chair of the Merit Selection Panel for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of N.Y. Schell began his career as a staff announcer and news reporter for WKRT, Cortland. Mr. Schell went to Ithaca College and the Catholic University School of Law.
First Deputy Secretary to the Governor
On January 11, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Sean Patrick Maloney to serve as First Deputy Secretary to the Governor. Mr. Maloney will focus on the Governor’s strategic and policy priorities. Mr. Maloney previously served as a Senior Advisor to President Clinton from 1997 to 2000. From 2000 to 2003, he was Chief Operating Officer at a derivatives risk management firm in New York City. From 1992 to 1997 and from 2003 to 2006, Mr. Maloney was an attorney at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, specializing in complex legal investigations. He was also a candidate for New York State Attorney General in 2006. Mr. Maloney received his B.A. and J.D. from The University of Virginia.
First Assistant Counsel
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Terryl Brown Clemons to serve as First Assistant Counsel. Ms. Clemons was the Assistant Deputy Attorney General of the Division of Public Advocacy in the New York State Attorney General’s Office. From 2003 to 2004, Ms. Clemons served as Acting Deputy Attorney General of the Division during the Director’s sabbatical. Prior to her appointment as Assistant Deputy Attorney General in 1998, Ms. Clemons served as the Deputy Bureau Chief of the Civil Rights Bureau, and before that as an Assistant Attorney General in the Litigation Bureau. Previously, Ms. Clemons worked in private practice and also overseas for the Dutch law firm, Nauta Dutilh. Ms. Clemons received a B.A. from Pace University and a J.D. and MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.
First Deputy Budget Director
On December 21, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Laura Anglin to serve as First Deputy Budget Director. She was appointed Deputy Comptroller of the Division of Retirement Services in January 2003 and was responsible for overseeing the administration and managing the operations of the New York State and Local Retirement System. Ms. Anglin's career in public service spans nearly 20 years. From 1996-2003 she worked in the New York State Assembly. During that time she served as Director of Budget Studies for the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and as First Deputy Fiscal Director for the Committee. Ms. Anglin has also held the position of Econometrician in the Department of Taxation and Finance from 1992-1996 and began her career as an Economist for the Department of Environmental Conservation. Ms. Anglin holds a B.A. and Masters Degree in Economics from the State University of New York at Albany.
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Health and Human Services
On January 4, 2007, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Joe Baker to serve as the Assistant Deputy Secretary for Health and Human Services. Mr. Baker previously served as Health Care Bureau Chief in the Office of the New York State Attorney General. From 1994 - 2001, Mr. Baker was Executive Vice President of the Medicare Rights Center, which became one of the nation’s leading Medicare consumer organizations during his tenure. Previously, Mr. Baker was the Associate Director of Legal Services for Gay Men's Health Crisis. He has served as a member of the Standards Committee and the Consumer Advisory Council of the National Committee for Quality Assurance and the Co-Chair of the Consumer/Patient Rights Subcommittee of the Health Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Baker has also served as a Consumer Representative of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Mr. Baker received a B.A. and a J.D. from the University of Virginia.
Secretary of State
On December 21, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez to serve as Secretary of State. Ms. Cortes-Vazquez was Vice President of Government & Public Affairs at Cablevision Systems Corporation. Previously, she served as President of the Hispanic Federation from October 1998 to October 2004. From 1996 to 1998, Ms. Cortes-Vazquez was Chief of Staff for New York State Assemblyman Roberto Ramirez. Prior to that, Ms. Cortes-Vasquez served as Executive Director at ASPIRA of New York from 1992 to 1996. She served as Director of the Bureau of Program and Resource Development at the NYC Department of the Aging from August 1979 to May 1992 and Director of the Senior Citizen Peer Counseling Program at the Experimental and Bilingual Institute from 1976 to 1977. Ms. Cortes-Vasquez graduated from Hunter College in 1975 and received her M.A. from NYU's Graduate School of Public Administration in 1983.
Communications Director
On December 7, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Darren Dopp to serve as Communications Director. Mr. Dopp served as Communications Director for the Attorney General's Office from 1999 to 2006. Previously, he was Communications Director to the New York State Assembly Majority Leader from 1995 to 1999, and a Press Officer in the administration of former Governor Mario Cuomo from 1988 to 1994. Mr. Dopp began his career as a newspaper reporter for the Binghamton Evening Press. He was a state government reporter and correspondent for the Associated Press. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1981 and a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the American University in Washington, D.C in 1983. Mr. Dopp is a native of Endwell, New York.
Press Secretary
On December 7, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Christine Anderson to serve as Press Secretary. Ms. Anderson served as Communications Director for Eliot Spitzer's Campaign for Governor and as Press Secretary for the Governor-Elect’s Transition office. Previously, she was an Associate Director of Corporate Communications at UBS AG. During the 2004 Presidential election cycle, she served as Deputy Press Secretary on the Kerry-Edwards Campaign. Prior to that, she was an Account Director for the Brunswick Group, a financial public relations firm, and a Segment Producer for ABC News' Good Morning America. From 1999-2001, she worked in the Press Office of the Clinton White House. She graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a B.A. in Political Science.
Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
On December 21, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Carol Ash to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. Ms. Ash served as Executive Director of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission for seven years. Previously, Ms. Ash was State Director of the Nature Conservancy in New York from 1994 to 1999. From 1992 to 1994, she served as Director of the Office of Environmental Policy and Management for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Ms. Ash became Regional Director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in 1985 and continued in this capacity until 1992. Prior to that, she served as a consultant from 1981 to 1984, a publisher at Soho News from 1979 to 1981, and the Director of Conservative Programs at the New York State Energy Office from 1975 to 1978.
Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
On January 11, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced that Andy Beers will serve as Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Mr. Beers was with the Nature Conservancy since 1989. While there, he served as Deputy State Director from 2000 to the present. He was also Acting State Director, Director of Conservation Programs and Director of Government Relations. Previously, Mr. Beers served as Assistant Commissioner for Government Relations and Community Affairs in the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Mr. Beers Received his B.A. from Colgate University and his M.S. from Cornell University.
Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
On January 11, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo to serve as Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Ms. Carpenter-Palumbo served as Vice President of the American Cancer Society. From 1997 to 2004, she assumed several positions in the Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan as Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President of Government Programs as well as Vice President of Government Relations. Ms. Carpenter-Palumbo has also worked in the New York State Office of Mental Health as the Director of Children and Families from 1994 to 1996. Previously, she served as Assistant Secretary to the Governor for Human Services from 1990 to 1994. Ms. Carpenter-Palumbo earned her B.S. from the Rochester Institute of Technology and her Masters of Social Work from Adelphi University.
Commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services
On December 21, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Gladys Carrión to serve as Commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services. Ms. Carrión joined United Way of New York City in 2005 as the Senior Vice President for Community Investment. Prior to that, she was Executive Director of Inwood House from 1999 to 2005. From 1995 to 1999, Ms. Carrión served as Executive Director of Family Dynamics, Inc and in 1994 she was a Program Officer at the Ford Foundation in the Community Development area. Ms. Carrión served as Commissioner of the New York City Community Development Agency from 1990 to 1993. From 1984 to 1988, she worked at the New York State Workers' Compensation Board in a variety of capacities including General Counsel, Supervising Law Judge and Senior Law Judge. Ms. Carrión also served as Acting Executive Director of ASPIRA from 1982 to 1983. She received her B.S. from Fordham University in 1973 and her J.D. from the New York University School of Law in 1976.
Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services
On December 21, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Brian Fischer to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services. Brian Fischer was the Supervising Superintendent of the New York State Department of Correctional Services, a capacity which he has filled since 1991. He has also served as the Superintendent of the Sing Sing Correctional Facility since 2000. Mr. Fischer was Superintendent both in the Queensboro Correctional Facility from 1991 to 2000 and in New York City and the Hudson Valley from 1975 to 1986. Mr. Fischer has filled several other positions including Director of Support Operations at the New York State Department of Correctional Services from 1986 to 1991 and as a Parole Officer in the New York State Addiction Control Commission from 1968 to 1975. Mr. Fischer received a B.S. in Psychology from Upsala College in 1966 and an M.S. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Bridgeport in 1968.
Commissioner of the Division of Human Rights
On December 21, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Kumiki Gibson to serve as Commissioner of the Division of Human Rights. Ms. Gibson most recently served as Senior Vice President for Administration & Governance Officer and Counselor to the President at The National Urban League since 2005. From January 2004 to January 2005, Ms. Gibson was Vice President and General Counsel at Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Gibson became partner at the law firm of Williams & Connolly in 1997 where she practiced until 2003. She served as Associate Counsel and then Counsel to Vice President Al Gore from April 1993 to April 1997. Currently Ms. Gibson serves on the board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She graduated from Harvard University in 1985 and from Northeastern University School of Law in 1988.
Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health
On January 11, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Michael F. Hogan to serve as Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health. Since 1991, Mr. Hogan has served as the Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health. While there, he was Chairman of Federal Government’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health from 2001 to 2002. Previously, Mr. Hogan served as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health from 1987 to 1991. Prior to that, he was Deputy Commissioner for Administrative Services at the Connecticut Department of Mental Health from 1984 to 1987. From 1979 to 1984, Mr. Hogan served as the District Manager for Mental Health and Retardation Services and as Superintendent of Northampton State Hospital between 1982 and 1984. He is a graduate of Cornell University and received an M.S. from the State University College at Brockport, and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University.
Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets
On January 11, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Patrick M. Hooker to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Mr. Hooker served as the Director of the Public Policy at the New York Farm Bureau, a position which he held since 1999. Previously, Mr. Hooker was the Deputy Director of Governmental Relations at the New York Farm Bureau from 1990 to 1999. From 1987 to 1990, he served as Director of the New York State Senate Agriculture Committee. He was also a Rural Affairs Advisor to the New York State Assembly in the Office of the Minority Leader from 1985 to 1987. Mr. Hooker received his B.S. from Cornell University and his A.A.S. from the State University of New York at Morrisville.
Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
On December 21, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate David A. Hansell to serve as Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Mr. Hansell was Chief of Staff at the New York City Human Resources Administration. From 1988 to 1994, he worked in a range of positions at Gay Men's Health Crisis, including Director of Legal Services and Deputy Director for Government and Public Affairs. From 1997 to 2001, he was the Associate Commissioner for HIV Services at the New York City Department of Health. He subsequently served as Associate Commissioner for Planning and Program Implementation. Mr. Hansell has also been a consultant on health policy and social services issues to a wide range of governmental and non-profit organizations. He is a graduate of Haverford College and Yale Law School.
Commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services
On January 11, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he nominate Denise E. O'Donnell to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Prior to her nomination, Ms. O’Donnell was a Partner at Hodgson Russ LLP. Ms. O'Donnell most recently ran for New York State Attorney General. She served as United States Attorney for the Western District of New York from 1997 to 2001. During that time, she was Vice-Chair of the New York State Attorney General's Advisory Committee in Washington D.C. from 2000 to 2001. She also served as First Assistant United States Attorney from 1993 to 1997. Ms. O'Donnell played a key role in the investigation of Timothy McVeigh for the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City and in the prosecution of James Kopp for the murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian, a provider of reproductive services. She received her B.S. from Canisius College and both her M.S.W. and J.D. from SUNY at Buffalo.
Commissioner of the Department of Labor
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Patricia Smith to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Labor. Ms. Smith was the Assistant Attorney General in-charge of the Labor Bureau a positions she had held since 1999. She served at the Labor Bureau for 12 years, first as Prevailing Wage Section Chief and then as Deputy Bureau Chief. From 1979 to 1987, Ms. Smith served as a Litigation Director at the Legal Services Organization in Indiana. From 1977 to 1979, she was a Staff Attorney for Connecticut Legal Services. She graduated from Trinity College in Washington D.C. in 1974 and the New York University School of Law 1977.
Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles
On December 21, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate David J. Swarts to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Previously, Mr. Swarts served as Clerk of Erie County. During this period, he served Erie County in variety of capacities including Chief Registrar, Clerk of County and Supreme Court, Agent of the State of New York for the Department of Motor Vehicles, Record Management Officer and as the Director of the Pistol Permit Office. Mr. Swarts received a B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany, where he also received his M.S. in Social Sciences.
Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Health Insurance Programs & State Medicaid Director
On January 4, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced that Deborah Bachrach will serve as Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Health Insurance Programs (OHIP) as well as the State's Medicaid Director. OHIP is a newly created office within the Department of Health, charged with operating the State's public health insurance programs, which are Medicaid, Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus and EPIC. From 1992 until November 2006, Ms. Bachrach was a partner at the law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips where she served as Co-Chair of the Not-For-Profit Practice group. Between 1987 and 1992, Ms. Bachrach served as Vice President of External Affairs at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center. Before joining St. Luke’s-Roosevelt, she served for four years as Chief Assistant Attorney General in the office of New York State Attorney General Robert Abrams. Previously, Ms. Bachrach had served for three years as Chief of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau. She was also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law at the New York University School of Law where she taught the Public Interest Seminar. Ms. Bachrach received her B.S. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1971, and her J.D. from NYU School of Law in 1974.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Housing Finance Agency and the State of New York Mortgage Agency
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would recommend Priscilla Almodovar for appointment as the President and CEO of the New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA). Ms. Almodovar was a policy advisor for the Governor-Elect's Transition office. She served as the Deputy Policy Director for Spitzer-Paterson 2006 where she had primary responsibility for various areas, including housing and health care policy. Ms. Almodovar began her career in 1990 at White & Case LLP, an international law firm based in New York City, where she specialized in complex financial transactions, including debt and equity offerings, project finance and asset securitizations. She was named a partner of the firm in 1998. She also served as the Administrative Partner for the Firm's New York Office’s Capital Markets practice. Ms. Almodovar graduated from Hofstra University and holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School.
Chair and Executive Director of the Consumer Protection Board
On January 11, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Mindy Bockstein to serve as Chair and Executive Director of the Consumer Protection Board. Ms. Bockstein served as the Director of Policy Research in the Office of the New York State Attorney General. While there, she was the Crime Victims Advocate and worked in Program Development. Previously, Ms. Bockstein worked in the Office of Assemblyman Dan Feldman as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director from 1991 to 1998 and as Senior Legislative Director and Press Secretary from 1985 to 1990. Ms. Bockstein received her B.A. from the University of Miami and an M.A. in Urban Policy/Public Administration from Brooklyn College.
Superintendent of the Department of Insurance
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Eric R. Dinallo to serve as Superintendent of the Department of Insurance. Mr. Dinallo was the General Counsel of Willis Group Holdings Limited, a global insurance broker, and a member of Willis’ Partners Group. Formerly, Mr. Dinallo was Managing Director and Head of Regulatory Affairs at Morgan Stanley. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he served as the Chief of the Investment Protection Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office. Mr. Dinallo has served as Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office. He was a Litigation Associate at Paul Weiss and also clerked for The Honorable David M. Ebel, United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Dinallo graduated from Vassar College. He holds a M.A. from Duke University’s School of Public Policy and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law.
Downstate Chair of the Empire State Development Corporation
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Pat Foye to serve as Downstate Chair of the Empire State Development Corporation. In February 2004 Mr. Foye was named President & CEO of United Way of Long Island. Previously, he was an Executive Vice President of Apartment Investment & Management Company from 1998 to 2004. Mr. Foye practiced law at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom from 1981 to 1998 where he was a partner in the firm’s mergers & acquisitions group. From 1992 to 1994, he was Managing Partner of the firm’s Brussels, Budapest and Moscow offices. Additionally, Mr. Foye serves as Deputy Chairman of the Long Island Power Authority and is currently a Trustee of the New York Public Asset Fund. In May 2006, Mr. Foye was elected to the Port Washington School Board. Mr. Foye graduated from Fordham College with a B.A. in 1978 and Fordham Law School in 1981.
Downstate Chief Operating Officer and President of the Empire State Development Corporation
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced Avi Schick will serve as Downstate Chief Operating Officer and President of the Empire State Development Corporation. Mr. Schick served as Deputy Attorney General in the New York State Attorney General’s Office, where his responsibilities included representing the State of New York in significant litigations and in matters relating to the $200 billion tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. He joined the Attorney General's Office in 1999. Mr. Schick began his legal career at Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, where he worked from 1994 to 1999. Mr. Schick graduated from Columbia Law School in 1994. Prior to law school, Mr. Schick attended Rabbinical School.
Director of the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
On January 11, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Robert M. Maccarone to serve as Director of the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives. Mr. Maccarone was the State Director of the New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives. Previously, he served as Executive Deputy Director of the New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives from 2002 to 2005. From 1998 to 2002, Mr. Maccarone was the Deputy Bureau Chief and Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Economic Crimes Bureau of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. He has also served as Deputy Commissioner in the Westchester County Department of Correction from 1995 to 1997 and as Director of Criminal Justice Services in the Westchester County Office of Criminal Justice Services from 1977 to 1997. Mr. Maccarone received both his B.A. and M.A. from Fordham University and his J.D. from PACE University Law School.
Executive Director and CEO of the Metropolitan Transit Authority
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced that Elliot "Lee" Sander would be recommended for appointment as the Executive Director and CEO of the MTA. Mr. Sander was a Corporate Senior Vice President at DMJM Harris a leading transportation engineering firm. Sander also served as Director of the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University. Sander is also the founder and co-chairman of the Empire State Transportation Alliance, and he is a Commissioner on the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. He graduated from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University with a B.S.F.S. in 1977.
Executive Director of the Port Authority
On December 15, 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer announced he would recommend Anthony Ernest Shorris for appointment as the Executive Director of the Port Authority. Mr. Shorris served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Spitzer-Paterson 2006 and the Governor-Elect's Transition office. Since 2003, Mr. Shorris served as the Director of Princeton University's Policy Research Institute at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He served as Deputy Chancellor of the New York City Board of Education from 2001-2003. From 1990-1995 he also served as the First Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Mr. Shorris has more than 25 years of experience in public and non-profit management and has consulted for national and international foundations and non-profit organizations on education, public finance, health care, tax policy, economic development, housing, and infrastructure. He served as New York City's Commissioner of Finance from 1988-1989 and Deputy Budget Director from 1984-1988. He holds an AB from Harvard College and a Masters in Public Affairs from Princeton University.
Assistant Secretary for Energy and Telecomunications
On January 11, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Steve A. Mitnick to serve as Assistant Secretary for Energy and Telecommunications. From 2005 to 2006, Mr. Mitnick was a Senior Advisor at McKinsy and Company as a member of the leadership of McKinsey’s North America Electric Power and Natural Gas Practice. From 2002 to 2004, he was Chief Executive Officer of Conjunction LLC. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Internet company ‘energyleader.com’ from 2000 to 2001. Previously, Mr. Mitnick worked at Hagler Bailly as both a Co-Leader of the energy consulting division as well as a Partner and Officer. Mr. Mitnick has an M.B.A. from the Wharten School at the University of Pennsylvania and two Bachelor of Science degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Director of New York State's Washington, D.C. Office
On January 11, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would appoint Derek Douglas to serve as Director of New York State’s Washington D.C. office. He was the Associate Director for Economic Policy and was the Director of the Economic Mobility Program at the Center for American Progress, where he has been since 2005. Previously, Mr. Douglas was Counsel at O’Melveny & Myers LLP from 2002 to 2005. From 1999 to 2002, he was an Assistant Counsel and Skadden Fellow at the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. Mr. Douglas received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from Yale Law School.
Commissioner of the Department of Health
On January 18, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Dr. Richard F. Daines to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Health. Dr. Daines was President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. Prior to becoming President, he served as Senior Vice President for Professional Affairs and as Medical Director. Dr. Daines served in a series of clinical and administrative positions at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, including Director of Critical Care, Director of Medical Education, Medical Director and Vice President for Professional Affairs, and Senior Vice President for Professional Affairs. He was also a founding member of the board of Partners in Health at St. Barnabas Hospital. He chaired the Health, Education and Human Services Task Force for Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer from 1998 to 1999 and served as Medical Director at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center. Dr. Daines received his B.A. from Utah State University, and his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College; he did his residency in Internal Medicine at New York Hospital.
Commissioner of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
On January 18, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced he would nominate Ms. Diana Jones Ritter to serve as the Commissioner of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Ms. Riter served as the Executive Deputy Comptroller in the New York State Office of the Comptroller. While there, she served in a number of capacities, including Deputy Comptroller in the Division of Administration from 2001 to 2002, Assistant Deputy Comptroller in the Division of Management Audit and State Financial Services from 1995 to 2001 and as Executive Deputy Director in the Office of Public Health from 1993 to 1995. Previously, Ms. Ritter was the Associate Commissioner of Administration and Quality Executive in the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities from 1990 to 1993. She received her B.S. from Morgan State University.
