Hochul Taps Former Economic Advisor to President Obama to Lead Department of Financial Services

​​On August 31st, Governor Hochul nominated Adrienne Harris as Superintendent of Financial Services, the head of the Department of Financial Services. Harris replaces Linda Lacewell, who resigned on August 24th.Harris brings extensive experience in economics and financial services. She served as a special assistant for economic policy for President Obama at the National Economic Council, and previously worked for the Brunswick Group as a senior advisor to financial companies, venture capital firms, and fintechs. Since leaving the White House in January 2017, Harris went on to serve as General Counsel and Chief Business Officer, and presently as Advisor at States Title, Inc. (now DOMA), which…

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Albany Update: Hochul Appoints Benjamin as LG, Big I NY and Small Biz Groups Urge Caution on Activating HERO Act

On Tuesday, Kathy Hochul was sworn in as the 57th Governor of New York, pledging civility and a departure from the tactics of the former administration. On Thursday, she appointed state senator Brian Benjamin (D, Harlem) to serve as her Lieutenant Governor, to be sworn in after Labor Day. Benjamin holds an MBA from Harvard Business school, and previously worked as an affordable housing developer and investment banker at Morgan Stanley. He was first elected to the State Senate in 2017, and ran unsuccessfully for New York City Comptroller in 2021. We look forward to working with Governor Hochul and Lieutenant Governor Benjamin to ensure a…

Continue ReadingAlbany Update: Hochul Appoints Benjamin as LG, Big I NY and Small Biz Groups Urge Caution on Activating HERO Act

Albany Update: Governor Cuomo Has Resigned. What’s Next?

​On Tuesday, August 10th, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation as the state's 56th governor, effective August 24th. Kathy Hochul, the current Lieutenant Governor, will succeed him for the remainder of the term, becoming the state's first female governor. Hochul, a moderate Democrat and upstate native confirmed on Thu​rsday that she intends to run for governor in 2022.What's Next?At a recent press conference, Hochul reiterated that Andrew Cuomo remains the Governor until August 24th, and she will work with him on an orderly transition. She also indicated that she intends to announce who she will appoint as her Lieutenant Governor in the coming weeks, and has…

Continue ReadingAlbany Update: Governor Cuomo Has Resigned. What’s Next?