Governor Cuomo Announces Appointments and Nominations

ALBANY, NY (02/09/2011)(readMedia)-- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the following appointments and nominations to senior positions within the state government.

Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala will be nominated to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Executive Fiala has worked in public service for 40 years. She is currently the first female County Executive of Broome County. In addition, Executive Fiala is a board member of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), President of the New York State Association of County Executives and also serves on the County Executives of America Board. She is Vice Chair of the Broome County Industrial Development Agency Board and was appointed in 2008 as a Committee Member of the National Association of Counties; Community and Economic Development Steering Committee. Executive Fiala started her career in Broome County politics when she was first elected to County Clerk in 1997. She is a life-long resident of Broome County and the City of Binghamton.

Deputy Majority Leader Tom Libous said, "Governor Cuomo has made an outstanding choice. Not only was Barbara Fiala great County Executive and an outstanding County Clerk, but no one understands the issues of the Department of Motor Vehicles better than her. She will be a great statewide representative and Commissioner. I am very happy for her."

Stephen J. Aquario, Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties, said, "This critical agency serves the residents of New York every single day. Having the necessary experience of operating a local Department of Motor Vehicles and serving as the chief executive of a large municipal corporation, Barbara Fiala has the necessary skills and experience to effectively lead this important agency. I applaud the Governor's nomination."

Mayor Brian Stratton will be recommended as the Director of the New York State Canal Corporation. Currently, Mayor Stratton serves as the Mayor of the City of Schenectady. Prior to being elected Mayor in 2004, he was represented District 2 in the Schenectady County Legislature for two years. From 1992-2002, Mayor Stratton was a Schenectady City Council Member At-Large. In addition, he served as the Economic Development and Small Business Liaison to the New York State Senate Minority leader from 2000-2003. Prior to joining the Senate, Mayor Stratton worked at Empire State Development in the Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research for 13 years. After graduating college, Mayor Stratton began his career at General Electric in 1981. There he worked in Cable Television and Broadcasting Department in Schenectady, and later moved to the Corporate Government Relations Department in Washington D.C. Mayor Stratton has a B.A. from State University of New York at Oswego.

Michael Fleischer, Executive Director of the Thruway Authority said, "Mayor Stratton is an excellent choice to lead the Canal Corporation. He is a respected local official with a wide range of knowledge and contacts along the Canal Corridor, and will serve Governor Cuomo and the Canal Corporation well in maintaining and promoting this unique state asset as a source of tourism and economic development across Upstate."

Thomas X. Grasso, President of the Canal Society, said, "The choice of Mayor Stratton as Director of the Canal Corporation is an excellent one. He is a well-respected community leader and a strong supporter of New York's State's storied waterway. Therefore to have a man of his stature and leadership abilities in this role bodes well for the future of the canal and I am very confident he will robustly advance the goals and objectives of our magnificent canal system not only for the betterment of the canal system and the State but for the people of New York State as well."

Congressman Paul Tonko said, "I applaud the Governor's decision to recommend Mayor Brian Stratton as Executive Director of the New York State Canal Corporation. As resident and Mayor of a City that was shaped by the Erie Canal, Brian understands the history and tradition of the canal system and its immense impact on the state's economy and quality of life. Brian would be the ideal partner for my Mighty Waters task force to lead development and preservation efforts along the canal to spur economic development and showcase the rich heritage of our state's canal system."

Matthew J. Driscoll will be reappointed to serve as President and CEO of the Environmental Facilities Corporation. Prior to his appointment in 2008, Mr. Driscoll was the Mayor of Syracuse where he spearheaded multiple environmental, energy and sustainability initiatives and made the City of Syracuse the first city in the country to offer every student who graduates with a Regents diploma free college tuition. From 1998-2001, he was the President of the Common Council. Mr. Driscoll was also the Chair of the Airport Committee for the Third District Common Council in 1995, after serving two years as the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee for the Second District Common Council from 1987-1989.

Peter A. Baynes, Executive Director, New York State Conference of Mayors said, "Matt Driscoll is a proven leader who understands the critically important role municipal infrastructure plays in the revitalization of New York's economy. During his service as Mayor of the City of Syracuse and at the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, he has displayed a keen understanding of the challenges facing local governments and the ability to implement innovative solutions. By reappointing Matt Driscoll as EFC's President and CEO, Governor Cuomo has demonstrated his commitment to a strong state-local partnership in New York's efforts to replace aging, but essential, infrastructure."

President of the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Cornelius B. Murphy, Jr. said, "We at ESF are very pleased to hear of Matt Driscoll's reappointment as President of the Environmental Facilities Corporation. Matt has a passion for advancing the green infrastructure that we need in New York State to protect our incredible water resources. Matt and Commissioner Martens represent a great team."

Governor Cuomo said, "These three professionals have served the people of New York State with integrity and honor. I look forward to working with them in making New York the Empire State once again."

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