Governor Cuomo Announces Administration Appointments

ALBANY, NY (01/17/2011)(readMedia)-- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the following appointments to senior positions within the state government.

Leecia Eve has been appointed to serve as Senior Vice President and Counsel to the Empire State Development Corporation.

"Ms. Eve's extensive expertise and knowledge of economic issues in New York, across the nation, and abroad will be instrumental in reopening New York State to business," Governor Cuomo said. "Her decades of legal experience, combined with an intrinsic understanding of our state's diverse economic needs, will help businesses thrive and prosper. I thank her for her ongoing commitment to public service."

Ms. Eve most recently served as Vice President for Policy of the No Limits Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that promotes economic issues at home and abroad and advocates transforming American foreign policy around the world, including advancing the rights of women. She has spoken nationally about investing in our nation's infrastructure to improve economic competitiveness and create jobs.

Ms. Eve is a 1990 graduate of Harvard Law School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government and is an expert on a range of issues, including economic development and homeland security. She is a former partner at Hodgson Russ, Western New York's largest law firm. She served as a judicial clerk to the New York State Court of Appeals Judge Fritz W. Alexander II, Judiciary Committee Counsel to then-Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., and as Senate Counsel to then-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

A resident of Buffalo, Ms. Eve has served on the boards of the Community Service Society of New York, the Greater Buffalo Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society. Ms. Eve is a former Vice President of the Minority Bar Association of Western New York. She is a member of The Links Incorporated, Buffalo Chapter.

Erik Bottcher has been appointed to serve as Special Assistant for Community Affairs.

"Mr. Bottcher is a dedicated advocate for LGBT rights and for the HIV/AIDS community. During his tenure with Speaker Quinn, he was instrumental in advancing New York City's progressive agenda. His experience in public service will be essential to my administration as we move forward," Governor Cuomo said.

Erik Bottcher currently serves as LGBT and HIV/AIDS Community Liaison for NYC Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. In this role, he is responsible for managing Speaker Quinn's outreach to the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities and fostering dialogue between the NYC Council and community leaders from across the five boroughs. Mr. Bottcher also played a lead role in developing and implementing NYC Council initiatives that relate to the LGBT community and initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Bottcher is from Lake Placid and is a graduate of The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. In September, he was named to the "Rising Stars: 40 Under 40" by City Hall News.

"Erik is hardworking, smart, and energetic. His work as LGBT/HIV liaison on behalf of the NYC Council was truly exemplary," said NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn. "I wish Erik the very best, and know that Governor Cuomo could not have appointed a better person to represent him to ensure all of New York's citizens have equal rights."

###

Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov | High resolution images available at http://governor.ny.gov/mediaimages | password: cuomo | New York State | Executive Chamber | press.office@exec.ny.gov | 518.474.8418