Joan Silvestri Named County Personnel Commissioner

Joan M. Silvestri of New City, who has been Rockland’s Republican elections commissioner, has been named the county’s new personnel commissioner by County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef.

Silvestri replaces longtime commissioner Patricia Prendergast, who left county government in late 2010. Silvestri, one of the daughters of the late state Sen. Thomas Morahan, R-New City, has been one of the county’s two elections commissioners for nearly 10 years.

The appointment, with its $127,900 annual salary, has been sent to the Rockland County Legislature for confirmation. Silvestri will remain working at the Board of Elections pending confirmation in the new post.

“Over the years Commissioner Silvestri has demonstrated exceptional administrative and managerial skills,” Vanderhoef said. “Her background as a seasoned labor relations professional has enabled the Rockland County Board of Elections to operate with efficiency, and in compliance with a myriad County, State and Federal regulations.”

Prior to joining county government, Silvestri worked for at Verizon/Nynex/Bell Atlantic, where she held management positions, including director of Labor Relations and Personnel.

“Joan’s leadership skills are now needed to strengthen our Department of Personnel,” Vanderhoef said. “She is fully committed to creating a diverse and fully inclusive workplace that will strengthen Rockland County, and enhance our ability to adapt to change.” 

During her tenure as one of the administrators of the Board of Elections, Silvestri has also served as president of the statewide association of elections officials in New York.

Rockland County Republican Party Chairman Vincent Reda said the party's executive committee will meet to choose a new Republican elections commissioner when Silvestri's nomination is confirmed.

Reda said he is not a candidate for the position, noting that he held the post for three months following the retirement of longtime elections commissioner Shirley Huested of Orangetown and he is not interested in returning to that job.