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GOVERNOR ELIOT SPITZER AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON ANNOUNCE ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS

Governor Eliot Spitzer and Lieutenant Governor David Paterson today announced  nominations for several senior administration officials.

Michael J. Burgess is being nominated to serve as Commissioner of the Office for the Aging. Mr. Burgess has served as the Executive Director for the New York State Alliance for Retired Americans since 2004 and prior to that, he served as Executive Director for the New York Statewide Senior Action Council. From 1989 to 1996, Mr. Burgess was Director of the Non-Profit Resource Center. He also served as Executive Director for the Statewide Emergency Network for Social and Economic Security. Mr. Burgess also previously worked for the Office for the Aging as a Policy Analyst from 1981 to 1982 and served as a Consultant for several non-profit organizations from 1982 to 1987. Mr. Burgess earned his B.A. from St. Lawrence University.

As Commissioner of the Office for the Aging, Burgess’ annual salary will be $109,800.

Kevin S. Law will be appointed to serve as Chairman of the Long Island Power Authority Board of Trustees. Starting in the fall of 2007, he will serve as Chief Operating Officer. Since 2004, Mr. Law has served as Chief Deputy County Executive and General Counsel in Suffolk County, New York. From 1992-2004, Mr. Law was Managing Partner at the Long Island Office of Nixon Peabody LLP. He has also served as Director of Real Estate for the Suffolk County Department of Law as well as a Legislative Aid to the New York State Assembly from 1984 to 1987. Mr. Law received his B.A. from SUNY Stony Brook, his M.S. from Hunter College and his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law.

As Chairman of the Long Island Power Authority Board of Trustees, Law will not receive a salary. As Chief Operating Officer, Law’s annual salary will be set by the Independent Compensation Committee of the LIPA Board of Trustees.

Angela M. Sparks-Beddoe is being nominated to serve as a Commissioner of the Public Service Commission and will also be designated to serve as Chair. Ms. Sparks-Beddoe is Vice President of Energy East Management Corporation located in Albany and Portland, Maine. Ms. Sparks-Beddoe has served with the East Management Corporation since January 2001, where she was also the Vice President of Public Affairs. Previously, she served as Director of Government Affairs at the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, where she was also Manager of Federal Government Affairs, Community Relations Manager and a Marketing Administrator between the years of 1993 to 2001. Ms. Sparks-Beddoe is President of the Energy East Foundation, sits on the National Board of the Public Affairs Council and is Chairman of the National Board of Rebuilding Together. In addition, Ms.Sparks-Beddoe is on the Leadership Council of the American Gas Association. Ms. Sparks-Beddoe received a B.A. from Skidmore College.

As Commissioner and Chair of the Public Service Commission, Sparks-Beddoe’s annual salary will be $129,000                        

Deborah VanAmerongen will be appointed to serve as Commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal. Ms. VanAmerongen is the current Director of Multifamily Housing for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in New York City. She has served in this position since August of 1998. Prior to joining HUD, she worked in the New York State Assembly as a Legislative Coordinator for the Program and Counsel Staff from 1989 to 1995. While there, she also served as Senior Analyst for the Standing Committee on Housing. Ms. VanAmerongen received her B.S. from Utica College of Syracuse University and her M.A. of Public Administration from Rockefeller College of the State University of New York at Albany.

As Commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, VanAmerongen’s annual salary will be $120,800.