The New York State Senate Wednesday confirmed Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s nominee to regulate the state's more than 1,500 insurance companies and nearly 1,600 banking and other financial institutions. Maria Vullo has served as Acting Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services since February, when she was nominated by Cuomo to lead the agency he created in 2011 in response to the banking crisis.
“I thank Governor Cuomo and the members of the New York State Senate for the privilege to once again serve the people of New York State," Vullo said. "As Superintendent, I am committed to strengthening New York’s status as the financial capital of the world, protecting consumers and ensuring that everyone follows the law. As a lifelong New Yorker, I look forward to leading initiatives that provide all communities throughout the state with fair and effective financial services.”
Prior to the DFS, Vullo was a litigation partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, where she led civil, criminal and regulatory investigations before courts and governmental authorities across the country. Among other accomplishments, she has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and served as Executive Deputy Attorney General for Economic Justice when Cuomo was state Attorney General.
Roberta Reardon also has been confirmed by the State Senate as Commissioner of New York's Department of Labor. She will head a staff of more than 3,300 employees, connecting job seekers with employers.
“My highest priorities as Commissioner will be to continue the great work and momentum of the Governor, the Department of Labor and the Legislature,” said Reardon. “Governor Cuomo’s nomination and the Senate’s confirmation have both humbled me and given me great hope for the future.”
Previously, Reardon served as Special Liaison for Common Sense Economics at the AFL-CIO and as Founding Co-President of SAG-AFTRA, a 165,000-member union for the entertainment industry. She was the National President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and on the board of the Actors Fund of America.
In the rush of action before the legislative session ends, Basil Seggos was unanimously confirmed as Commissioner of the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Since 2012, Seggos has advised Cuomo on environmental policy and overseeing the operations of the state's environmental agencies, including DEC, the Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation, the Environmental Facilities Corporation and the Adirondack Park Agency.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to lead this great agency as we continue to protect and preserve the state’s land, air and water resources for future generations,” said Seggos. “I look forward to working with the Senate, Assembly and all New Yorkers to build on this legacy and tackle the emerging threats facing our natural resources.”
Prior to working in the Governor's office, Seggos served as Vice President of Business Development at the clean-tech private equity company Hugo Neu Corporation, Chief Investigator and Attorney at Riverkeeper, Associate at the Natural Resources Defense Council and as a legal clerk at the White House.
