Blakeman Names His Transition Team

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — County Executive-Elect Bruce Blakeman announced his transition team this week as he gears up to take over governance of the county next month.

Blakeman announced his picks on Thursday. His transition team, which will help his administration take over from Laura Curran's administration, is made up of academic leaders, faith practitioners, community leaders and policy advocates from the public and private sectors.

“This transition team is united in its mission to make Nassau County more affordable and safer while creating new jobs and growing the economy," said Blakeman. "I look forward to working with these dedicated professionals and thank them for their public service and commitment to our community.”

In November, Blakeman named Christopher McGrath, a partner at the law firm Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo, as the head of his transition team. He also appointed Floral Park native Arthur Walsh to be his chief deputy county executive. Walsh is the current general counsel for Nassau Off-Track Betting.

Former Governor David Paterson accepted a position on the team, and then later turned it down. "Gov. Paterson immediately thought better of the idea and declined because, as a registered lobbyist, he would like to avoid even the appearance of any potential conflict of interest," his spokesperson said.

In addition to the transition, Blakeman's team is looking to hire residents to fill positions in the new administration.

Blakeman's team has created a web portal where interested people can apply for positions in his administration. Applicants under serious consideration will have a review of their employment, legal and educational history. There will also be considerations for possible conflicts of interest, and some positions may require disclosure of financial holdings and sources of income. Those interested in applying can do so by clicking here. There are positions open in many different departments.

Blakeman's transition team is:

• Christopher Mcgrath, Chairman: Parter, Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo
• Chudhary Akram - Masjid Hamza
• Eugene Alletto - CEO, Bedgear
• Matt Aracich - President, Building & Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties
• Dr. John Paul Bellistri - Columbia Doctors
• Matthew Bruderman - Chairman of the Board, Bruderman Brothers, Inc.
• Bob Catell - Past Chairman, Board of Directors of the United States Energy Association
• Matt Cohen - President, Long Island Association
• Michael Dowling - CEO, Northwell Health
• Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein - Nassau County Health Commissioner
• Murray Forman - President, Lawrence Board of Education
• Gilles Gade - CEO, Cross River Bank
• Chris Giamo - Head of Commercial Banking, TD Bank
• Dorothy Goosby - Councilwoman, Town of Hempstead
• PastorJohn Gravagna - Pastor, Connect Church
• Bishop Robert Harris - Bishop, Grace Cathedral
• Marc Herbst - Executive Director, Long Island Contractors' Association
• Henry Holley - President, The Holley Group
• Khandan Kalaty - Great Neck Community
• Major Charles Kilbride - United States Marines Toys for Tots Chairman
• Jerry Kornbluth - Dean, Nassau Community College
• Dr. Krishan Kumar - Director of Pediatric Emergency, Nassau University Medical Center
• Victor LaGreca - Amalgamated Local 298
• Kevin Law - Partner, Tritec Real Estate
• Seymour Liebman - Executive Vice President, Canon
• Susan Lucci - Garden City resident, actress, television host, author and entrepreneur
• Laura Maier - Councilwoman, Town of Oyster Bay & Small Business Owner
• JamesMetzger - CEO, The Whitmore Group
• Liza Milgrim - President, Long Island Hispanic Bar Association
• Anissa Moore - CEO, North Park Community Development Corporation
• Lisa Murphy - Commissioner of Senior Enrichment, Town of Hempstead
• Kate Murray - Town Clerk, Town of Hempstead
• Samuel Nahmias - President, Study Logic
• Brian Nevin - Senior Policy Advisor, Town of Oyster Bay
• Mitch Pally - CEO, Long Island Builders Institute
• Dr. Susan Poser - President, Hofstra University
• Juan Reyes - Reed Smith
• Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds - CEO, Chief Executive Officer of Family and Children’s Association
• Dr. Christine Riordan - President, Adelphi University
• William Rockensies - Director of Construction Services, H2m Architects
• Gary Rodolitz - Principal, David Lauren Associates
• Commissioner Patrick Ryder - Nassau County Police Commissioner
• Dr. Timothy Sams - President, SUNY Old Westbury
• Michael Sapricone - CEO, Squad Security
• Dr. James Savia - Assistant Professor and Doctor, Mount Sinai
• Daniel Serota - Mayor, Village of Brookville
• Dr. Richard Shlofmitz - Chairman of Cardiology, St. Francis Hospital
• Jessica Silverstein - Small Business Owner
• Harry Singh - CEO, Bolla Oil Corp.
• Jill Stone - Law Office of Jill C. Stone, esq.
• Kyle Strober - Executive Director, The Association for a Better Long Island
• Timothy Sullivan - CEO, Municipal Strategies & Solutions
• Mairén Torres - Chairwoman, Republican National Hispanic Assembly
• Donald Vultaggio - Chairman, AriZona Beverage Company
• Arthur Walsh - Incoming Chief Deputy County Executive, County of Nassau
• Lewis Yevoli - former Supervisor, Town of Oyster Ba