|
|||
| CONTACT: | Press
Office (518) 474-4015 |
FOR RELEASE: |
Immediately March 3, 2004 |
|
Hevesi Appoints Pattison to be Deputy Comptroller for Local Government Services and Economic Development State Comptroller Alan Hevesi today announced that he is appointing former Troy Mayor Mark Pattison to be Deputy Comptroller for Local Government Services and Economic Development. Hevesi said he is honored to be working with Pattison, who served eight years as the mayor of Troy. "Mark Pattison helped steer Troy through some of its darkest days, and knows as much about the challenges of managing government in troubled times as anyone in this state," Hevesi said. "His experience will be invaluable as we work to assist localities all across the state, and to help local governments find ways to do more with fewer resources. The coming years will be even more challenging for New York's local governments, and Mark Pattison is a person who has faced those challenges with distinction." Pattison, who currently serves as a faculty member of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has a wealth of experience in local governments and community service. He took office as mayor just as the City was entering a financial crisis so deep that it required the intervention of a State financial control board. Under his leadership, the City was released from the auspices of the Financial Control Board in the minimum period of three years as he implemented a new financial management system to help balance the City budget for the first time in seven years. He also was instrumental in developing the Troy waterfront and reinvigorating the City of Troy Waterfront Commission. Prior to serving as mayor, he served for four years on the City of Troy's school board, as chairperson of the Hudson Mohawk Urban Cultural Park, as President of the New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies, and for 20 years with the Rensselaer County Chapter for Retarded Citizens, including 12 years as its director. In his new position, Pattison will oversee all local government audits and services, which include technical assistance and budget reports, as well as economic development studies. "I am thrilled at the opportunity to work with Comptroller Hevesi," Pattison said. "He has a real commitment to partnership with local governments. I am looking forward to using my skills and experiences as the Mayor of Troy to forward his agenda of a proactive approach to meeting the challenges faced by local governments today." He will be replacing Anthony Nanula, who has decided to reenter the private sector and will be pursuing new ventures in New York State and elsewhere with a business he created with his brothers 15 years ago. Hevesi praised Nanula's work, crediting him with bringing to the agency a new focus on government reform and economic development, including changing the name of the division from Municipal Affairs to Local Government Services and Economic Development. Among the important reports issued under his watch was a report on intermunicipal cooperation and consolidation, and included a "how to" manual for local governments seeking to launch cooperative projects. "Anthony Nanula was a tremendous help during our transition and helped increase the expertise of our local government services division with a concentration on economic development, which is absolutely crucial for strengthening local governments' finances," Hevesi said. "His unique combination of understanding both business and local government finances has been extremely helpful, and we wish him well in his new endeavors." Pattison will be paid $145,000 in his new position. ###
Albany Phone: (518) 474-4015 Fax:(518)
473-8940 |
|||