Who’s who in Kathy Hochul’s administration?

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is a household name in the state – but there are many influential and experienced people working in her administration who aren’t quite as recognizable. The Executive Chamber has an $18 million budget and hundreds of staff working out of Albany, New York City and Washington, D.C. Gubernatorial cabinet members advise the governor, politically and legally, on everything from public health to transportation. They oversee her office’s daily operations, from her schedule to what she says to the press. Other administration officials supervise statewide agencies like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the state Health Department and manage the state’s finances. Here’s an introduction to some of the top-ranking officials in Hochul’s administration. This post was updated on Dec. 9. 

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado

Usually, the LG runs for the role and is elected independent of the governor. In Antonio Delgado’s case, though, Hochul appointed him to replace former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who resigned in April 2022 after being arrested on charges of campaign finance fraud. (He maintains his innocence.)  Hochul got the state Legislature to change the law to put Delgado on the ballot, replacing Benjamin weeks before the primary election. The lieutenant governor has two concrete jobs: to preside as the president of the state Senate (a largely ceremonial role) and to take over the governorship if the current governor resigns or is impeached. Often, they also act as a spokesperson and cheerleader for the governor, promoting the executive and their policies at press conferences, community meetings, summits and events. However, if the governor does not decide to make much use of the LG, they can end up without many tasks to do. Hochul served as lieutenant governor to Andrew Cuomo, and was reportedly sidelined in the role as well. Prior to becoming LG, Delgado was the first person of color to represent upstate New York in Congress as the representative for the competitive 19th Congressional District, which encompassed the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Southern Tier and Finger Lakes. His other hats include being a litigator and a rapper known as “AD the Voice.”

Director of state operations and infrastructure: Kathryn Garcia

Kathryn Garcia was appointed the state operations director in September 2021, shortly after Hochul became governor and a few months  after Garcia’s narrow loss to Eric Adams in the New York City mayoral primary. The state operations director oversees more than 70 state agencies, authorities and commissions, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the state Health Department and Port Authority. These agencies report to the state operations director through deputy secretaries for final approval. Garcia has a resume of government service, working as the New York Sanitation Department commissioner from 2014 until 2020, during which she led the department through cleaning up after snowstorms and expanding curbside composting. She has also acted as the city’s lead czar, COVID-19 food czar, interim chair of the New York City Housing Authority and the chief operating officer at the city’s Department of Environmental Protection. 

Secretary of state: Walter Mosley

Hochul nominated former Assembly Member Walter Mosley to be the secretary of state in May 2024. Mosley previously represented Assembly District 57 in the state Legislature from 2013 to 2020. After attending law school, he worked as a legislative analyst and oversight investigator with the New York City Council. He later switched to state-level politics, becoming a senior consultant for the New York State Assembly and a senior advisor to the Assembly’s deputy speaker. Mosley has been an advocate for criminal justice reform, affordable housing and cannabis legalization.

State inspector general: Lucy Lang

Lucy Lang has served as the state inspector general since November 2021, overseeing state investigations into corruption and misconduct. Under her leadership, the inspector general’s office published major investigations into drug tests authorized by the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. She was previously the director of the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution. A former assistant district attorney in Manhattan, Lang ran for Manhattan DA in 2021 but lost to Alvin Bragg in the Democratic primary.

Chief of staff to the director of operations: Nicole Migliore

Nicole Migliore is the chief of staff to Kathryn Garcia, a position she has had since 2022. She was Garcia’s deputy campaign manager during Garcia’s unsuccessful 2021 mayoral run and now helps Garcia manage 12 policy portfolio teams and over 70 state agencies. Migliore previously worked as a policy and intergovernmental affairs advisor in the de Blasio administration and as chief of staff to Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell. 

Acting tax commissioner and general counsel: Amanda Hiller

Amanda Hiller has served as general counsel of the Department of Taxation and Finance since December 2012 and became acting tax commissioner in April 2021. Her responsibilities include directing over 3,800 tax revenue employees and supporting state service in compliance with tax regulations. She has worked in public service for over 35 years. 

Chief of staff: Stacy Lynch

First entering the state’s Executive Chamber as the chief of staff to former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin before becoming a senior adviser to Hochul, Stacy Lynch is now the highest ranking staff member of the governor’s office. She entered the role in July 2022, replacing Jeff Lewis, who’s been working for Hochul on-and-off since 2009, after he left the role to become a senior adviser to Hochul’s campaign and the state Democratic Party. Lewis was partially blamed for Hochul selecting Benjamin to be her initial LG, as the chief of staff was in charge of the vetting process for the people joining the administration. The governor’s chief of staff manages their office, staff, schedule and relationships on a day-to-day basis, handles crises, communicates policy agenda to other elected officials and acts as a bridge between the governor and her staff. Lynch has a lot of governmental experience predating her time in the Executive Chamber, including former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s deputy director of intergovernmental affairs, which also put her in charge of public affairs for then-first lady Chirlane McCray. Her father, Bill Lynch, was an influential Democratic strategist and an adviser to former New York City Mayor David Dinkins. 

Secretary to the governor: Karen Persichilli Keogh

Replacing Melissa DeRosa from former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration, Karen Persichilli Keogh was appointed to be secretary to the governor in August 2021. The secretary acts as the top surrogate for the governor to legislators and political staff. Known in Albany circles as KPK, Persichilli Keogh’s most recent job prior to secretary was as head of global philanthropy for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and before that, she was the managing director of the company’s state government relations. She was also Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager and statewide director while Clinton was a senator, and worked on Clinton’s presidential campaign.

Executive deputy secretary to the governor: Edgar Santana

Hochul promoted Edgar Santana to be executive deputy secretary to the governor in January 2024. He was previously deputy secretary to the governor and director of downstate regional affairs for the executive chamber. Santana has a background in political organizing, having worked as director of political and governmental affairs for the Laborers Eastern Region Organizing Fund and the Northeast political director for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Chief information officer: Dru Rai

Hochul appointed Dru Rai to be the state’s chief information officer and director of the Office of Information Technology Services in October 2023. In that role, Rai helps lead the state’s digital advancements and cybersecurity. He previously held executive roles at the Quaker Houghton Company, Ball Corporation, DuPont Coatings and GE Advanced Material.

Empire State Development commissioner: Hope Knight

Hope Knight has been the president, chief executive officer and commissioner of Empire State Development – the state’s economic development corporation – since May 2022. She helped establish the state’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development to support employers. Before leading Empire State Development, she was the president and CEO of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, where she promoted economic growth and real-estate development in Southeast Queens. From 2015 to 2021, she was a commissioner on the New York City Planning Commission. 

Health commissioner: Dr. James McDonald

After Dr. Mary Bassett stepped down as health commissioner just a year into the role, Dr. James McDonald was nominated to be the state’s acting health commissioner in January 2023 and confirmed in June. Rising to extreme prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, the health commissioner supervises local health boards, reporting and vital records and surveillance of hospitals. They also promote disease control and prevention, healthy lifestyles and emergency preparedness. McDonald is pediatrics and preventive medicine board certified and has experience working in rural and indigenous communities where health care was not very accessible. He worked at the Rhode Island Department of Health for years in various capacities, including as the interim director of health, chief administrative officer of the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline and medical director for the COVID-19 unit. He has also been a faculty member at the Brown School of Public Health and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Since joining the New York health department, McDonald has helped create a food allergy initiative mandating that all food establishments in the state must display an allergy notice for employees and worked to increase access for New Yorkers to the Medicaid Essential Plan.

Office of Mental Health commissioner: Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan

Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan has served as the commissioner for the state Office of Mental Health since 2014, where she has overseen the expansion of state programs such as Zero Suicide, First Episode Psychosis Teams, crisis intervention services and school-based clinics. She was previously senior vice president for the Queens Health Network at New York City Health and Hospitals and the director of psychiatry at Elmhurst and Queens Hospitals. 

Budget director: Blake Washington

Blake Washington’s appointment to budget director was announced in July 2023 by Hochul. He took over for Robert Megna who stepped into the role briefly after the abrupt resignation of Sandra Beattie. The budget director oversees the development and management of the state budget and fiscal policies. They make recommendations for agency and department budgets, create tax policy and manage the state’s debt portfolio. Washington was formerly the secretary to the state Assembly Ways and Means Committee. He had worked with the committee since 2002, his roles including director of budget studies, deputy director of budget studies and legislative budget analyst. 

Department of Financial Services superintendent: Adrienne Harris

Hochul nominated Adrienne Harris to be superintendent to the state department of financial services in August 2021. Before leading the department, Harris was co-director of the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy’s Center on Finance, Law and Policy and a senior advisor at the Brunswick Group in Washington D.C. During the Obama administration, Harris worked in the White House as special assistant to the president for economic policy at the National Economic Council.

Counsel to the governor: Brian Mahanna

Hochul appointed Brian Mahanna counsel to the governor in September 2024, right at the end of Elizabeth Fine’s tenure in the role. Prior to his appointment, Mahanna served as a partner in the international law firm WilmerHale. Mahanna has a long history of serving in New York City and state governments, having worked as a senior adviser to former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and as chief of staff and deputy attorney general in the state AG’s office.

Communications director: Anthony Hogrebe

In charge of public communications for the governor is Anthony Hogrebe, who started in the role on July 21, 2023. As the title implies, the director presents the public image of the governor and her administration, such as through coordinating with the press. In June, Politico reported Julie Wood, Hogrebe’s predecessor, would be stepping down after almost two years. Before being appointed, Hogrebe was New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ first deputy communications director and senior adviser for strategic communications since March 2022. Previously, he was the head of public affairs at the New York City Economic Development Corp., a senior adviser to former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and a senior vice president at public relations firm Marathon Strategies.

Strategic communications advisor: Jerrel Harvey

Hochul named Jerrel Harvey her new strategic communications advisor in May 2024. His responsibilities include crafting day-to-day messages and long-term initiatives in the executive chamber. Prior to his appointment, he was the senior director of communications and public affairs for Global Strategy Group. Hochul did not appoint Harvey out of nowhere; he was the communications director for Hochul’s 2022 reelection campaign. He started out his career at Proskauer Rose LLP as a diversity and inclusion specialist before going on to work for a number of New Jersey state legislators and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.

Press secretary: Avi Small

Taking over the role on July 1, 2023, Avi Small was promoted from first deputy press secretary to replace Hazel Crampton-Hays, who was the press secretary since September 2021, after her resignation. In this role, he communicates directly with journalists who reach out to schedule interviews, receive written statements and get background information for their stories. News articles will often quote him as a spokesperson for the governor when they’re unable to quote the governor herself. Small has a history of communications work. He’s been with the state executive chamber since October 2021. Before that, he was a press secretary for the state Senate, and on Corey Johnson’s 2021 comptroller campaign and President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign in Nebraska. He has also done communications for NextGen Climate, Rachel Harrison Communications and more.

Deputy chief of staff: Ivan Acosta

Prior to joining the administration, Ivan Acosta was an associate director in the New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget. Before that Acosta worked in budget, policy and constituent services in the mayor’s office, City Council and state Legislature. Acosta is also a City University of New York John Jay College graduate. The deputy chief of staff is a senior staff member who helps manage the day-to-day operations of the administration and works under the direction of the chief of staff. Acosta's appointment was announced in January 2024.

Chief diversity officer: Julissa Gutierrez

Julissa Gutierrez is the state’s chief diversity officer, in charge of programs to increase the diversity of the state’s workforce and the participation of women and people of color in state government. She was named #1 on City & State New York’s MWBE Power 50 list in 2021. Gutierrez previously led the state’s vaccine equity task force and held the role of deputy director of constituency affairs for the state.

Board of Elections co-chair: Henry Berger

Hochul appointed Henry Berger as co-chair to the state Board of Elections in December 2023. A former New York City Council member, Berger is an election law attorney who served as special counsel and advisor to former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio from 2014 to 2018. His specialization in election law allowed him to help pass automatic voter registration and create a statewide public campaign finance program.

Board of Elections co-chair: Peter Kosinski

Peter Kosinski has served as co-chair of the state Board of Elections since 2015. He was previously special counsel to the state Senate. Kosinski started his government career in 1977 when he was appointed administrative assistant to the Cattaraugus County Legislature. He began working for the state Board of Elections as special deputy counsel for enforcement in 1990.

Office of Employee Relations director: Michael Volforte

Michael Volforte has led the Office of Employee Relations since February 2017. He has worked in the office for over 26 years and served numerous roles, including interim director, deputy counsel, associate director and assistant counsel. 

Workers’ Compensation Board chair: Clarissa Rodriguez

Clarissa Rodriguez has served as chair and commissioner of the state Workers’ Compensation Board since 2017. After another reappointment by the governor, she will serve her term through 2029. She helped launch the state’s paid family leave program while improving the workers’ compensation system. Before joining the board in 2016, Rodriguez was a litigator for the Legal Aid Society in the foreclosure prevention and predatory lending units. 

Office of General Services commissioner: Jeanette Moy

Hochul appointed Jeanette Moy to be commissioner of the Office of General Services in October 2021. Moy created the Division of Resiliency and Sustainability to help meet the state’s climate goals and oversaw the establishment of the state’s Office of Language Access. Moy was previously executive vice president and chief operating officer at Public Health Solutions, chief operations officer at the state AG’s office, chief strategy officer at Brooklyn Public Library and deputy chief of staff and senior policy advisor in the New York City mayor’s office.

State Employees Federated Appeal Council chair: Thomas Wickerham

Thomas Wickerman has served on the State Employees Federated Appeal Council since 2011 and was elected chair in March 2015. He is an environmental program specialist with the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Air Resources, a role he has been in since 1987.

Commission on Judicial Conduct chair: Joseph Belluck

Joseph Belluck was appointed chair to the state Commission on Judicial Conduct in 2008. He is a partner at the Manhattan-based law firm Belluck & Fox LLP and specializes in asbestos and serious injuries. He used to serve as counsel to the New York state attorney general, and his previous cases include representing the state in litigation against the tobacco industry. He also worked as a law clerk for Justice Lloyd Doggett of the Texas Supreme Court and a staff attorney for Public Citizen in Washington D.C.

Law Revision Commission chair: Peter Kiernan

Peter Kiernan has been chairman of the state Law Revision Commission since December 2010. He was previously counsel to the governor from 2008 to 2010 and a counsel to the deputy New York City mayor for finance. He was also chief counsel to the state Senate Minority.  

Education commissioner: Betty Rosa

Betty Rosa was appointed as the permanent commissioner of education in 2021. She is the first Latina woman to hold this position. She oversees the achievements of more than 700 school districts that encompass over 3.2 million students, as well as more than 7,000 libraries, 900 museums, and 50 licensed professions.

SUNY chancellor: John King, Jr.

John King Jr. has been the chancellor of the State University of New York since January 2023. He previously served as U.S. Secretary of Education during the Obama administration and was a professor at the University of Maryland College Park and the president of The Education Trust.

Higher Education Services Corporation president: Dr. Guillermo Linares

Dr. Guillermo Linares was appointed president of the state Higher Education Services Corporation in February 2017. In that role, he oversees the Tuition Assistance Program, the Excelsior Scholarship and the state Dream Act. Linares was previously commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and served as a member of both the New York City Council and the Assembly.

Teachers’ Retirement System executive director: Thomas Lee

Thomas Lee serves as the executive director and chief investment officer of the state Teacher’s Retirement System, which delivers retirement, disability and death benefits to eligible state public school teachers and administrators. 

Office of Victim Services director: Bea Hanson

Hochul appointed Bea Hanson as the director of the office of victim services in June 2024. She was previously a senior adviser to the New York City Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-based Violence and the executive director of the city’s domestic violence task force within the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. From 2011 to 2017, Hanson served as acting director and principal deputy director of the federal Office on Violence Against Women. 

Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence executive director: Kelli Owens

Kelli Owens has been the executive director of the office for the prevention of domestic violence since October 2019. She was previously the state director of women’s affairs and helped launch the state’s first Council on Women and Girls. She also helped advance the state’s women agenda and successfully advocated for legal reforms to provide additional protections for women, including the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act and the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act. 

State insurance fund CEO: Gaurav Vasisht

Gaurav Vasisht is the first Asian and Indian American to lead the state insurance fund, where he oversees the state’s disability, paid family leave and workers’ compensation insurance programs. Vasisht previously worked at the non-partisan think tank Volcker Alliance and led the state Department of Financial Services’ banking division.

Homes and Community Renewal CEO: RuthAnne Visnauskas

RuthAnne Visnauskas was appointed the commissioner and chief executive officer of New York State Homes and Community Renewal in March 2017. As commissioner, she has overseen the launch of a $25 billion housing plan to create and preserve 100,000 homes and electrify 50,000 additional homes. Before her appointment, she worked as managing director of the Robin Hood Foundation’s housing advisory board and as commissioner of New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

Medicaid acting inspector general: Frank Walsh Jr.

Frank Walsh, Jr. has been the acting Medicaid inspector general since February 2021, where he helps the state implement the Affordable Care Act. He previously worked for over 25 years at the state Division of the Budget, working his way up to become the chief budget examiner of the health unit in September 2007.

Office of Cannabis Management acting executive director: Felicia Reid

Felicia Reid has been the acting executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management since June 2024. She previously worked for the state Office of Children and Family Services, the Assembly and a state appellate court. 

Office of Addiction Services and Supports commissioner: Dr. Chinazo Cunningham

Hochul appointed Dr. Chinazo Cunningham as commissioner of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports in December 2021. She previously worked in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as executive deputy commissioner of mental hygiene. She was also a physician at Montefiore Health System and a professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Office of Children and Family Services commissioner: DaMia Harris-Madden

DaMia Harris-Madden was named commissioner of the state Office of Children and Family Services in May 2024, a month after she began serving as acting commissioner. She previously served as executive director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau, where she managed financial and technical resources for the county’s youth and family programs.

Council on Children and Families executive director: Vanessa Threatte

Appointed as executive director of the Council on Children and Families in August 2022, Vanessa Threatte has spent much of her career in education. She previously spent nine years in the SUNY system in a variety of positions – including assistant deputy chief operating officer, executive deputy director for best practices and partnerships for SUNY’s charter school institute and executive director of SUNY’s Cradle to Career Alliance.

Office for the Aging acting director: Greg Olsen

Greg Olsen is the acting director of the state Office for the Aging, where he oversees the agency’s operational and administrative programs to support more than 4.6 million older residents. He was previously the chief of staff and legislative and policy director for Assembly Member Steve Englebright. Olsen also served as executive director of the state Alliance for Retired Americans and executive director of the state Coalition for the Aging. 

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance commissioner: Barbara C. Guinn

The state Senate confirmed Barbara Guinn as commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance in May 2024. She previously served as executive deputy commissioner of the office, where she implemented new assistance programs and delivered over $18 billion in benefits to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council on Developmental Disabilities executive director: Kristin Proud

Kristin Proud is the executive director for the Council on Developmental Disabilities, She is the former special advisor to the state health commissioner and was previously the acting executive deputy commissioner in the state Department of Health. She helped lead the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing the Hospital Capacity Coordination Center and implementing the vaccination program.

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities acting commissioner: Willow Baer

Willow Baer has been the acting commissioner for the office for people with development disabilities since July 2024. She previously served as the office’s executive deputy commissioner. She has also worked as assistant counsel to Hochul in human services an in the Office of Children and Family Services.

Executive director of the Council on the Arts: Erika Mallin

Hochul appointed Erika Mallin executive director of the Council on the Arts in January 2024. She was previously executive director of the arts program at the Aspen Institute. Before that, she was executive director of Signature Theatre Company, where she led the theater company’s $70 million expansion and created one of the country’s first subsidized theater ticket programs.

Department of Labor commissioner: Roberta Reardon

Roberta Reardon was confirmed as commissioner of the state Department of Labor in June 2016. She was previously president of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and founding co-president of SAG-AFTRA. Reardon has also worked as an instructor in the Cornell/CUNY Labor Relations Certificate program.

Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner: Mark Schroeder

Mark Schroeder was nominated as commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles in January 2019. He previously served as the comptroller for Buffalo, as an Assembly member and as an Erie County legislator. While in the Assembly, Schroeder sponsored “Amanda’s Law,” which required all homes to have a carbon monoxide monitor.

Department of Transportation commissioner: Marie Therese Dominguez

Marie Therese Dominguez became commissioner of the state Department of Transportation in June 2019. Her responsibilities include guiding more than 8,000 staff members to design and maintain statewide transportation systems. Before becoming commissioner, she was an administrator at the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority chair: Janno Lieber

Janno Lieber was confirmed as chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in January 2022. He was previously the president of MTA Construction & Development, where he helped lead the organization’s 2020-24 $51.5 billion capital program. Before joining the MTA, Lieber was the president of World Trade Center Properties LLC and worked in the administrations of former President Bill Clinton and former Mayor Ed Koch.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority inspector general: Daniel Cort

Daniel Cort was named inspector general of the MTA in June 2023. A former assistant district attorney, Cort also served as acting commissioner and first deputy commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation and as chief of the public integrity bureau at the state AG’s office. 

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive director: Rick Cotton

Rick Cotton has been executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey since August 2017. He was previously special counsellor for interagency initiatives for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and served as the liaison for numerous downstate infrastructure and transportation projects. Before joining state government, he spent 25 years at NBCUniversal.

Thruway Authority executive director: Frank Hoare

Frank Hoare has been executive director of the Thruway Authority since April 2024, having previously served as interim executive director and general counsel. He has held a number of other roles in state government, including: deputy secretary to the governor for legislative affairs, associate counsel at the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs and general counsel for the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

Department of Agriculture and Markets commissioner: Richard Ball

Richard Ball was nominated to be commissioner of the state Department of Agriculture and Markets in January 2014. He became a farmer at the age of 18 and has been the owner and operator of Schoharie Valley Farms, which covers 200 acres, for the last 30 years. He was the 2021-22 president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Department of Environmental Conservation interim commissioner: Sean Mahar

Sean Mahar is currently the interim commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, having served as executive deputy commissioner of the agency since 2022. He helps lead the agency’s environmental protection and natural resource conservation efforts. Before becoming executive deputy commissioner, he was the department’s chief of staff and oversaw external agency affairs and operations. 

Energy Research and Development Authority president: Doreen Harris

Doreen Harris became the president and CEO chief executive officer of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in April 2021. She leads the agency’s efforts in guiding the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 85 percent by 2050. She first joined the agency in 2010 as the vice president of large-scale renewables and helped execute a state offshore wind master plan. She previously co-chaired the state climate action council.

Environmental Facilities Corporation president: Maureen Coleman

Maureen Coleman was appointed president and CEO of the Environmental Facilities Corporation in October 2021. She first joined the agency as its general counsel in May 2015 and served as acting president and chief executive officer from September 2019 to January 2021. Before entering the agency, she was an assistant counsel to the governor. She also worked in the Department of Environmental Conservation for 13 years as a legislative counsel. 

New York Power Authority president: Justin Driscoll

Justin Driscoll has been the president and chief executive officer of the state power authority, the nation’s largest state electric utility, since October 2021. He was previously the agency’s general counsel. Driscoll is a board member of the Electric Power Research Institute, the Alliance to Save Energy, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the GridWise Alliance and New York City’s Urban Green Council.

Geographic Information Officer: Elisabetta DeGironimo

Elisabetta DeGironimo was appointed the state geographic information officer, in charge of the geospatial services office, in February 2024. She first joined the state Office of Information Technology Services, which houses the geospatial services office, as a director in 2022. Before joining the office, she was a Watershed and GIS coordinator at the Mohawk Valley Water Authority. 

Public Service Commission chair: Rory Christian

Hochul named Rory Christian the chair and CEO of the Public Service Commission in September 2021. He previously worked as the New York Clean Energy director at the Environmental Defense Fund and the director of energy finance and sustainability at the New York City Housing Authority, where he oversaw the agency’s $500 million portfolio.   

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation commissioner pro tempore: Randy Simons

Randy Simons is commissioner pro tempore and chief of staff at the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Since joining the agency in 2012, he has overseen the opening of Shirley Chisholm State Park, the revitalization of Marsha P. Johnson State Park, and the reopening of downstate sites after Hurricane Sandy. He was promoted to chief of staff in 2018.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation president: Shelton Haynes

Shelton Haynes has been the president and CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation since March 2021. He helped revitalize Roosevelt Island’s tourism and day-to-day operations. He started his career in the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development and was chief operating officer of Affiliated Resources Group from 2012 to 2016. 

Gaming Commission chair: Brian O’Dwyer

Brian O’Dwyer was appointed in June 2022 as chair of the state Gaming Commission, which ensures that all gaming and horse racing activities follow state legislation. O’Dwyer founded and was the first chair of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center. In the 1990s, he served as an advisor to President Bill Clinton’s administration on the Northern Ireland peace process. 

Olympic Regional Development Authority president: Ashley Walden

Hochul appointed Ashley Walden the next president and CEO of the state Olympic Regional Development Authority in August 2023. She was previously the executive director of the Adirondack Sports Council, where she organized the 2023 Winter World University Games. She was also the director of sport and operations for USA Bobsled and Skeleton. She had a successful career as an athlete with the American Luge team in the Olympics and World Cup.

Liquor Authority chair: Lily Fan

Hochul nominated Lily Fan to lead the State Liquor Authority in June 2023. She is the first woman to lead the liquor authority. She was previously a white-collar criminal litigation lawyer with the law firms Shearman & Sterling LLP and Morrison & Foerster LLP. She was also a member of Community Board 4 and served as the community board’s co-secretary from 2016 to 2017. 

Javits Center president: Bradley Siciliano

Bradley Siciliano was appointed president of the state-run Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in April 2022. He previously served as the center’s chief operating officer and general counsel. Before joining the Javits Center, he was general counsel and corporate secretary for Sharp Electronics. 

Dormitory Authority CEO: Robert Rodriguez

Robert Rodriguez was confirmed as acting president and CEO of the Dormitory Authority in May 2024. He previously served as New York’s secretary of state. He was an Assembly member for 11 years and the founding chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Infrastructure.

Department of Veterans’ Services commissioner: Viviana DeCohen

Viviana DeCohen became commissioner of the Department of Veterans’ Services in December 2021. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, she was previously commissioner of the Mount Vernon Veterans Service Agency and associate pastor at Mt. Vernon Heights Congregational Church.

Division of Criminal Justice Services commissioner: Rossana Rosado

Rossana Rosado was named commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services in November 2021. She previously served as New York secretary of state for close to six years. Before entering public service, she worked as a media executive and producer for 30 years. She was the first female CEO, editor and publisher of El Diario La Prensa, the country’s oldest and largest Spanish newspaper. 

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services commissioner: Jackie Bray

Jackie Bray has been commissioner of the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services since November 2021. She was previously the deputy executive director of the New York City Test and Trace Corps. She also worked in the de Blasio administration as the inaugural director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.

Fire administrator: Jim Cable

Jim Cable has been the state fire administrator, overseeing the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, since 2021. He first joined the agency as a specialist trainee in 1997 and served as a deputy state fire administrator from 2018 to 2021.

Division of Human Rights acting commissioner: Denise Miranda

Hochul nominated Denise Miranda to serve as acting commissioner of the state Division of Human Rights in March 2024. She previously served as executive director of the state Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs for seven years and as managing director of the Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Institute for six years, where she built out free citywide legal programs for low-income residents. 

Adjutant General: Raymond Shields Jr. 

Major General Raymond Shields Jr. has served as the state’s Adjutant General, in command of the state’s National Guard troops, since October 2018. He His responsibilities include guiding state troops to state and national missions. Before being named adjutant general, Shields was the joint staff director at the Joint Forces Headquarters in Latham. He began his military service as a platoon leader in Troy in 1983. 

Tax Appeals Tribunal president: Jonathan Kaiman

Jonathan Kaiman has been the president and commissioner of the tax appeals tribunal since June 2024. He was previously the deputy county executive of Suffolk County. In 2013, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo tapped Kaiman to help lead the clean-up efforts following Hurricane Sandy.

State police superintendent: Steven G. James

Steven G. James was appointed state police superintendent in April 2024. He oversees almost 6,000 sworn and non-sworn state police officers. James was previously deputy superintendent of employee relations, where he oversaw the statewide employee assistance program, recruitment, member hiring, and contract negotiations, among other responsibilities. He has been with the state police department for more than 32 years.

Department of Corrections and Community Supervision commissioner: Daniel Martuscello III

Hochul named Daniel Martuscello III commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in May 2024, 11 months after he began serving as acting commissioner. Martuscello first joined DOCCS, which oversees the state’s prison system,as a correction officer in 1997. He is the Northeast regional chair of the Correctional Leaders Association and is a member of the American Correctional Association, New York State Minorities in Criminal Justice and New York Corrections and Youth Services Association.

Department of Civil Service commissioner: Timothy Hogues

Hochul nominated Timothy Hogues as commissioner of the Department of Civil Service in April 2022, where he oversees modernization efforts to streamline the state’s civil service process in order to rebuild the public workforce. Under his leadership, the department implemented the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide program, expanded the Governor’s Program to Hire Individuals with Disabilities and waived state civil service exam fees through December 2025.