Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the State Senate unanimously confirmed Kenneth Adams as President and CEO of the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development, and Darrel J. Aubertine as Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
"Darrel and Ken are intrinsic to the reinvention and reopening of New York as a destination for good jobs and growth," Governor Cuomo said. "Darrel's expertise on agricultural matters and his tireless advocacy for farmers in the state legislature is unmatched. Ken knows what it takes to keep private sector jobs from leaving and bring new ones to the state. He will be essential to my administration's message that New York is open for business. I thank Senators Skelos, DeFrancisco, Alesi, Ranzenhofer and Ritchie for ushering these nominations to confirmation."
ESDC President & CEO and Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development Kenneth Adams said, "It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen to serve. I believe the most direct way to improve people's lives and build safe and prosperous communities is through economic development. I am excited to lead Empire State Development's efforts to strengthen our business climate and implement Governor Cuomo's job creation strategy."
Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Darrel Aubertine said, "New York's diverse agricultural industry and vast marketplace requires responsible oversight and advocacy – roles I am proud to take on. Governor Cuomo's vision of creating greater access to locally produced farm and food products sets the stage for a resurgence of our economy and offers hope for farming communities across the state. I look forward to working with our agricultural partners to help our farmers and industry flourish."
Kenneth Adams has been President and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, the state's leading business association, since 2006. The Business Council represents nearly 2,500 member businesses, chambers of commerce and professional and trade associations, employing a total of more than 1 million New Yorkers. Prior to leading the Business Council, Mr. Adams was President of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Director of the MetroTech Business Improvement District in Downtown Brooklyn.
Mr. Adams was also the founding Executive Director of New York Cares, New York City's leading volunteer organization, from 1988 to 1994. Mr. Adams has served on the Empire State Stem Cell Board, the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Community Foundation and the Steering Committee of the Association for a Better New York. He has also served on the City University of New York Business Leadership Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 and the Council of State Chambers.
Darrel J. Aubertine most recently served as State Senator of the 48th Senate District in Central and Northern New York, which is comprised of Oswego, Jefferson and part of St. Lawrence counties. He served as chair of both the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Rural Resources Commission, and as the ranking majority member and vice chair of the Energy & Telecommunications Committee. Before joining the Senate in 2008, Mr. Aubertine represented the 118th Assembly district in the New York State Assembly for five years, where he served as the chair of the Commission on State-Local Relations. From 1996-2001, he was a member of the Jefferson County Legislature and was elected to chair in 1998. Mr. Aubertine's career in government began in 1994, when he served as a member of the Cape Vincent Town Council.
Since 1971, Mr. Aubertine has owned and operated the sixth-generation heritage Triple-A Farm in Cape Vincent, for which he purchased a plot of land while still in high school. Mr. Aubertine has been a member of numerous cooperatives and organizations, including the Cape Vincent Milk Producers, Allied and Eastern, Agway, St. Lawrence County Farm Bureau, the New York State Farm Bureau, and the Dairy Herd Improvement Association.
Senator James S. Alesi, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, said, "As former President and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Ken Adams and I have had a strong history of working together for the benefit of New York's small businesses, which we both agree are the engines of job creation and growth. I commend the Governor's nomination, and I look forward to partnering with Ken to regain confidence in our business community and restore New York as the Empire State."
Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, Chair of the Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, said, "I was pleased to support Governor Cuomo's nomination of Kenneth Adams as President and CEO of Empire State Development Corporation. His experience from the Business Council and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will allow him to bring a more business-friendly approach to New York's economic development efforts. I am particularly impressed with not just his focus on enticing new businesses, but with his commitment to improving the tax climate for companies already doing businesses in New York."
Senator Patty Ritchie, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, said, "I'm confident that together will be able to help insure that the Department of Agriculture and Markets works as a partner with our farm families to help revitalize the upstate economy. Commissioner Aubertine will be able to help me look out for the needs of our neighbors and friends across the state and in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Oswego counties."
Senator Tim M. Kennedy, Ranking Member of the Senate Committees on Agriculture and Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, said, "With the nomination of Darrel Aubertine, farmers can trust that they have someone looking out for them at the head of the Department of Agriculture and Markets – someone who as a seventh-generation farmer uniquely understands the agriculture community. At a time when New Yorkers are hungry for job creation and economic development, Ken Adams is an excellent choice to take the helm at the Empire State Development Corporation. Steering New York along the road to recovery will not be an easy task, but with Commissioner Adams's and Commissioner Aubertine's tested and proven abilities, we will develop and enact the right policies to rebuild our state's economy by creating jobs."
Senator Bill Perkins, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, said, "Based on Mr. Adams' wealth of knowledge, experience, and reputation in the business community I am hopeful that the Governor has made an excellent choice in his selection of Mr. Adams as the new President and CEO of ESDC. I look forward to working closely with Mr. Adams to help revitalize New York's economy by advancing the opportunities for small businesses and MWBEs to thrive."
Acting-President & CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc. Heather Briccetti said, "Kenneth Adams understands business in New York and what it will take to make the state more competitive. He is an outstanding choice to lead the Empire State Development Corporation. The Business Council congratulates Kenneth on his confirmation and Governor Cuomo on making a great appointment."
Rob Simpson, President of CenterState CEO, said, "Ken has the knowledge, experience and positive attitude needed to achieve real economic transformation in the state. He will do a great job at ESDC on behalf of businesses everywhere and I look forward to working with him in this new chapter of his career."
Dean Norton, President of the New York Farm Bureau, said, "NYFB welcomes Darrel Aubertine as the new Commissioner at the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Farmers and our organization have had a great relationship with him through the years, and look forward to his leadership at a critical time in the food and agriculture sector in New York. NYFB is pleased to see his enthusiasm for the opportunities in agriculture today and looks forward to working with the Commissioner and Governor Cuomo in the years to come."
David J. Skorton, President of Cornell University, said, "During his long career in public service, Darrel Aubertine has proven that he understands the needs of our state's agriculture industry, is more than willing to work across the political aisle, and is a strong advocate of the role higher education plays in helping New York build a brighter future. I look forward to working with Commissioner Aubertine as we face the challenges and the opportunities ahead."
Source: NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets
