Governor Cuomo Announces Appointments and Nominations

ALBANY, NY (01/04/2011)(readMedia)-- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the following appointments and nominations to senior positions within the state government.

Joseph Martens will be nominated to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. Since 1998, Mr. Martens has served as President of the Open Space Institute, directing and overseeing land acquisition, sustainable development, historic preservation and farmland protection. Previously, Mr. Martens served as Deputy Secretary to the Governor for Energy and the Environment from 1992-94 and before that Assistant Secretary from 1990-92. He is the Chair of the Olympic Regional Development Authority, which operates the 1932 and 1980 winter Olympic venues in Lake Placid and Wilmington, NY and Gore Mountain Ski Area in Johnsburg, NY. He also chairs the Adirondack Lake Survey Corporation, which continuously monitors Adirondack lakes and streams to determine the extent and magnitude of acidification in the Adirondack region, Mr. Martens studied Resource Economics at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and received an M.S. in Resource Management from the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University.

"Joe's lifelong experience of fighting to protect and preserve our environment will bring the highest level of stewardship to our state's beautiful natural resources. Joe knows how to strike the critical balance between defending our natural resources from pollution and destruction while at the same time fostering a climate of economic renewal and growth. His experience and record as a competent and productive manager will breathe life into this vital agency." Governor Cuomo said.

"Joe is an outstanding choice to lead such a vital agency at such at an important time. We are at a crossroads for the environmental movement in New York State and I know that Joe will continue to be a leader in the fight to preserve our great state's landscape, environment, and natural resources. I look forward to working with Joe and commend the Governor for making this nomination," said Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

"Joe Martens' experience, judgment, and temperament make him the right person at the right time to meet the challenges that DEC faces. He has the support and key relationships with the business and environmental community that will allow him to hit the ground running. The Governor's selection of Mr. Martens reflects his strong belief that protecting New York State's environment goes hand in hand with advancing the state's economic goals," said Ashok Gupta, from the Natural Resources Defense Council.

"Joe knows that one of the keys to not only preserving our environment, but creating good paying jobs is expanding the production of affordable and reliable energy across the state. He has both the hands on experience and also the bold vision to transform the DEC, steering it in a direction that strikes the critical balance of protecting our natural resources and our economy," said Gavin J. Donohue, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Power Producers of New York.

Elizabeth Glazer will serve as Deputy Secretary for Public Safety. Ms. Glazer has served as the Chair of the New York State Juvenile Justice Advisory Group. Ms. Glazer has held a number of senior positions at both the federal and local levels, implementing crime control and prevention strategies. She previously served in the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, successively as the Chief of Organized Crime, Violent Gangs and Crime Control Strategies sections. Subsequently, she was the First Deputy Commissioner in New York City's Department of Investigation, the city agency charged with investigating corruption and fraud. She then served as First Deputy District Attorney in Westchester County where she was responsible for developing and executing strategies to reduce the county's crime rate, and later as Special Counsel to the New York Attorney General. Early in her career, she was the first Director of Management Information Services for New York City's Department of Juvenile Justice. Ms. Glazer is a graduate of Harvard University and Columbia Law School.

Dede Scozzafava will serve as Deputy Secretary for Local Government at the Department of State. Ms. Scozzafava served as a member of the New York State Assembly from 1999-2010, serving as Minority Leader, Pro Tempore from April 2009-December 2009. She served as Chairwoman of the Assembly Republican Review Committee and the SAVE NY TASK FORCE. Prior to joining the Assembly, Ms. Scozzafava was Mayor of the Village of Gouverneur from 1994-1998. In the private sector, Ms. Scozzafava spent 20 years working for Tucker Anthony/RBC Dain Rauscher as an investment advisor. She is a graduate of Boston University and received an MBA from the Clarkson School of Management in Potsdam.

Joseph Percoco will serve as Executive Deputy Secretary. Mr. Percoco recently served as the Campaign Manager for Andrew Cuomo 2010. Prior to joining the campaign, Mr. Percoco worked at the Office of the New York State Attorney General as Special Counsel to the Attorney General. In the private sector, Mr. Percoco was a Managing Attorney at KPMG LLP. From 1999-2001, he worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where he served as Special Assistant to the Secretary and later as Assistant General Counsel. Mr. Percoco also served as Director of Advance for former Governor Mario M. Cuomo.

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