Recent appointments to the Executive Chamber and by State departments and agencies
Source: Office of the Governor
On November 5, 2015, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the following appointments to his administration and to State departments and agencies:
Joanne Choi has been appointed Assistant Director of Constituencies for Asian American Affairs for the Executive Chamber. Ms. Choi is currently the Queens Community Liaison for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Previously, she served as a constituent liaison for Congresswoman Grace Meng, and also has experience in community and constituency relations from the Congresswoman’s 2012 campaign and previously-held Assembly office. Ms. Choi earned a B.A. in political science and an M.A. in public policy from Stony Brook University.
Ruth Noemí Colón has been appointed Vice President of Corporate Shared Services for the New York Power Authority (NYPA). Ms. Colon has worked for NYPA since 2011, most recently as Director of Administration and Environmental Justice. Prior to her work with NYPA, she served in various roles at the New York State Department of State, most recently as Acting Secretary of State from 2010 to 2011, as well as the New York City Housing Authority. She holds both a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Puerto Rico – San Juan, as well as a J.D. and International Law Certificate from the Pace University School of Law.
Lisa Bova-Hiatt has been appointed Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery. Ms. Bova-Hiatt has served with the Office of Storm Recovery since January 2014, first as General Counsel, then Acting Chief Operating Officer and most recently as its Acting Executive Director. Previously, she served in the administration of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg doing legislative affairs. She also held a variety of senior positions with the New York City Law Department between 1995 and 2014. Ms. Bova-Hiatt received her B.S in business administration from Villanova University, and her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.
Kitty Kay Chan has been appointed New York State Chief Data Analytics Officer. She is currently the Chief Economist at the Department of Financial Services. Previously Dr. Chan served as the Chief Economist and Director of Audit and Review for the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics, and as a Deputy Inspector General for the New York State Inspector General’s Office. Before that, she served as the Director of Economics for the New York State Office of the Attorney General and held positions at the US Federal Communication Commission, the US Department of Agriculture, and a private economic consulting firm. Dr. Chan has taught at New York University, and currently teaches at Columbia. She was a National Science Foundation Fellow and holds a Ph.D. in Economics and a Doctoral Certificate in Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Engineering from the University of Southern California.
Norma Ramos has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Civil Rights. Ms. Ramos has served as the Executive Director of the Coalition Against Trafficking of Women, and previously was the Executive Director of the South Bronx Clean Air Coalition. In addition, she has held positions at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ms. Ramos has a B.A. From Fordham University, and a J.D. From Temple University School of Law.
Caroline Griffin has been appointed Chief of Staff for DASNY where she is responsible for overseeing intergovernmental relations and managing the Communications + Marketing Department, as well as coordinating policy and operations across DASNY’s multiple business lines. Ms. Griffin has served in the Executive Chamber for Governor Cuomo since 2011, most recently as his Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Previously, she served in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for the administrations of both Governor David Paterson and Governor Eliot Spitzer. Ms. Griffin holds a B.A. in Communications from Boston College.
Kim Nadeau has been appointed Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. Ms. Nadeau is currently Vice President for Accounting and Controller at US Light Energy (USLE). Prior to her work with USLE, she served as a Vice President of Accounting and Controller for CH Energy Group, Inc. from 2006 to 2014, and previously held various positions for Northeast Utilities for 1995 to 2006, as well as Coopers and Lybrand LLP from 1989 to 1995. Ms. Nadeau holds a B.S. in Accounting, an M.B.A. and a J.D. from the University of Connecticut.
Emily Saltzman has been appointed Assistant Vice President/Director, Office of Economic Opportunity and Partnership Development, at NYS Homes & Community Renewal. Ms. Saltzman has served as the Director of Community Affairs to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo since 2011. Before joining the Executive Chamber of the State of New York, Ms. Saltzman represented a range of nonprofits, corporations and associations as Government Relations Manager at Brown and Weinraub PLLC. She also held positions at Manhattanville College, Ticketmaster/Citysearch and the New York City Council and served as Assistant Director of Intergovernmental and Constituency Affairs under former Governor Mario M. Cuomo. Ms. Saltzman holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.P.A. from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs.