Paterson Aides Shuffle Up

ALBANY—David Paterson just announced he is elevating a staffer to fill the post of first deputy secretary to the governor.

ALBANY—David Paterson just announced he is elevating a staffer to fill the post of first deputy secretary to the governor.

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Valerie Grey, whose appointment will take effect Monday, fills a position left empty when Larry Schwartz was elevated to secretary to the governor after Bill Cunningham resigned. He was originally hired as first deputy secretary to replace Sean Patrick Maloney, who left in December.

This is a small aftershock to the staff shake-up Paterson went through in February.

Grey began her career in the State Assembly and currently serves as assistant deputy secretary for health and human services.

In her new post, she will be paid $173,000 a year. Here' the full release from the governor:

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES ADMINISTRATION APPOINTMENT

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the appointment of Valerie Grey to serve as First Deputy Secretary to the Governor. Ms. Grey will work directly with Secretary to the Governor Lawrence S. Schwartz on the development of new policy initiatives and the management of on-going projects. She will also coordinate with the Secretary and the Director of State Operations Dennis Whalen to bring efficiency and reform to New York State government.

This appointment fills a vacancy made on February 25, 2009. Ms. Grey will begin on Monday, April 20, 2009.

"I am confident that with her impressive experiences in finance and health policy, Valerie Grey will contribute greatly to my Administration," Governor Paterson said. "I welcome Valerie to her new role in the Executive Chamber and look forward to working with her as we continue to address the issues facing New York."

Ms. Grey currently serves as Assistant Deputy Secretary for Health and Human Services, a position she has held since August 2008. In this role, Ms. Grey worked with Deputy Secretary Joseph Baker and has been instrumental in the development of the Governor's health and human services policies, recommending the inclusion of proposals in the State budget and negotiating with the Legislature on budget actions. She also oversees the activities of State agencies that work in the health and human services fields.

Prior to this position, Ms. Grey worked from 2007 to 2008 as Assistant Commissioner of Government and External Affairs of the New York State Department of Health. While there, she served as liaison to the Governor's Office and other State agencies and was responsible for the Department's legislative agenda. Before joining the Department, Ms. Grey was the Director of Government Affairs for Greenberg Traurig, LLP from 2006 to 2007, where she advised private and non-profit clients on healthcare and finance issues.

From 2003 to 2006, Ms. Grey served as Vice President of AmeriChoice of NY, Government Affairs and Regulatory Compliance division. She provided counsel to senior officials on all policy and regulatory matters affecting the company. She represented AmeriChoice, which specializes in public sector health insurance products, at the federal, state and local government levels and oversaw compliance and regulatory measures.

Ms. Grey worked for the New York State Comptroller in the Office of Budget and Policy Analysis from 1996 to 2003. She first joined as a Principal Policy Analyst, focusing on the State's financial plan and performing long-term fiscal projections to determine future deficits and assess the impact of proposed legislation. She then moved into the position of Deputy Director in 1999 and then of Director in 2001, providing chief counsel to the State Comptroller on health care and finance issues. Ms. Grey served as Assistant Comptroller in 2003 and managed the Office of Budget and Policy Analysis.

Ms. Grey began her career in State government in 1989 as a Senior Legislative Fiscal Analyst in the New York State Assembly Committee on Ways and Means. In 1992, she became the Committee's Principal Legislative Health and Public Assistance Budget Analyst, monitoring the impact of trends in State and social services programs and advising the Assembly on Medicaid and Public Assistance legislation. From 1993 to 1996, Ms. Grey worked as the Assembly's Deputy Director of Fiscal Studies, leading a team of analysts in the study of legislation and its affect on State revenue.

Ms. Grey received both a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Economics from the State University of New York at Albany in 1988 and 1990, respectively.

As First Deputy Secretary to the Governor, Ms. Grey's salary will be $173,000. This appointment does not require Senate confirmation. 

Paterson Aides Shuffle Up