BROWN & WEINRAUB - Key Persons
Alex Betke is an attorney and registered lobbyist focusing his practice on Government Relations and Municipal Law, a unique combination of legal concentrations allowing him to meet clients' needs at all levels of government and to provide innovative resolutions to a variety of legal challenges.
Alex enjoys considerable experience working with the Governor's Office, the Legislature, state agencies, the Attorney General and the State Comptroller, along with New York's federal government representatives. His clients range from major industry associations and fortune 500 companies to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations, with work encompassing all aspects of government relations, including legislation, procurement, appropriations and regulatory matters.
Previously, Alex was elected for eight years as the Town Supervisor of the Town of Coxsackie and served several terms as a councilman before holding that post. Based on his experience and exposure to the workings of local government, he established and grew a municipal practice, and continues to serve as general and special counsel to various municipalities.
Alex has been involved in New York State politics throughout his career, serving as an elected state committeeman for the New York State Democratic Party and working on several statewide campaigns. This experience, in addition to his professional work, contributes to and informs his approach to legal matters and increases his effectiveness in advancing client objectives.
Brian Matthews joined Brown & Weinraub after 30 years of varied experiences in New York State government with the Office of General Services (OGS), the New York State Comptroller's Office, and the Division of Budget. Most recently Brian served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Office of General Services where he headed a diverse portfolio of programs including financials, procurement, contract management, business diversity opportunities (MWBE and SDVOB), insurance management, statewide energy resource purchasing and enterprise Fleet management. Concurrently he provided information technology project portfolio oversight, headed strategic risk management, and oversaw internal controls.
Prior to his service as Chief Financial Officer at OGS, Brian was the Director of the Bureau of Financial Administration for the Office of the New York State Comptroller. In this role he managed enterprise procurements, the development of the Comptroller's Office budget, and oversaw the minority and women owned business contracting program.
Brian began his state service at the New York State Division of Budget where he worked on statewide fiscal planning priorities, along with examining SUNY and CUNY financial undertakings. Brian holds an MPA from the Rockefeller School of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany and a B.S. in Political Science from Springfield College.
Caroline joined Brown & Weinraub after 20 years of experience in New York State government and politics including serving in senior level positions in the administrations of the last four Governors.
Carolyn Betz Kerr comes to Brown & Weinraub after serving four years as vice president of government affairs for UnitedHealth Group in New York. There, she was responsible for managing all aspects of external relationships with the governor's office, state legislature, state agencies and other stakeholders for United's commercial insurance, Medicaid managed care, Medicare, health information technology, behavioral health and other business segments.
Additionally, working closely with businesses, she was responsible for developing strategic planning for these segments to maximize opportunities for public-private partnership. Before joining United, Carolyn served in Governor George E. Pataki's Counsel's Office for three years, with a portfolio that began with housing and human services issues and agencies, then transitioned to health and mental health agencies and issues, including Medicaid.
Carolyn joined the governor's office after working for seven years as assistant counsel to the Office of General Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives, where she worked on a variety of issues for the House, its members and committees. Her experience with the Office of General Counsel included federal motions practice primarily focused on constitutional issues.
Carolyn works primarily with our health care clients, keeping them up to date on the latest reform initiatives and assisting them in developing and implementing proactive and responsive business strategies.
She is a graduate of The George Washington University Law School (J.D.) and Bates College (B.A.).
Dan Sheppard joins Brown & Weinraub's health care practice after serving as a Senior Vice President with the Mount Sinai Health System and following a 32-year career in New York State government. Dan's experience successfully navigating complex issues through the State's executive and legislative branches is built on his decades of service in senior-level positions with the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Division of the Budget, and the State University of New York.
At Mount Sinai, Dan worked with affiliated hospitals and physician practice groups to develop and implement innovative business models to align and grow inpatient and ambulatory service lines. Prior to joining Mount Sinai, Dan served as the New York State Department of Health's Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management where he was responsible for regulatory oversight of licensed health care facilities and providers. Dan played a lead role in efforts to modernize State statute, regulations, funding programs and government policies to advance the transformation of hospitals, clinics, physician practices and long-term care facilities and support services toward integrated, patient-centered models that optimize quality, access and financial sustainability. Dan has extensive experience working at a strategic level with large health systems, safety net hospitals and other essential community health care providers. He also helped lead the Department of Health's responses to public health threats related to pathogenic and weather-related events.
Prior to joining the Department of Health, Dan was Deputy Budget Director with the New York State Division of the Budget where he played a key role in shaping New York's health care delivery and higher education systems. As Deputy Budget Director, Dan was part of the leadership team that developed and implemented the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) and Delivery System Restructuring Incentive Payment (DSRIP) programs. In total, Dan worked at the Division of the Budget for more than 20 years in progressively responsible positions across a wide range of program areas.
Dan's professional experience also includes service with the State University of New York (SUNY) where, as Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business, he oversaw budgeting and fiscal policy for the University's academic campuses, medical schools and hospitals. Early in his government career, Dan worked as a legislative analyst for the New York State Senate and a Public Management Intern for the State Education Department's Office of the Professions.
Dan is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Union College (BA, 1986) and the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy (MPP,1990). He is a recipient of the Director of the Budget's Leadership Award (2010); the Compassion in Public Service Award from the New York City Providers of HealthCare for the Homeless Coalition (2016); and the Commissioner of Health's Lifetime Achievement Award (2019).
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Managing Partner
David is the co-founder and managing partner of Brown Weinraub, New York's top lobbying firm. He sets the overarching vision for the firm and provides the strategic framework necessary to meet each client's objectives. David was a member of Governor Mario M. Cuomo's senior staff, serving as Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. He was also Counsel to Lieutenant Governor Stan Lundine and Director of Regional Services for the Department of State. The common theme of David's government service - confidential, high level, complex assignments with little margin for error. Throughout his tenure, he was able to manage teams of diverse personnel and deliver victories across program areas and across the state. David is asked regularly to develop campaign plans for a variety of ballot initiatives and to advise on numerous elections at all levels of government. The firm's growing list of clients attests in no small part to David's creativity, prudent judgment and network of key policy makers and political thought leaders throughout the country. He has taught at St. John's University and serves on various law panels. David is a trustee of the Citizens Budget Commission and serves on the board of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, New York Chapter.
Emily Whalen joined Brown & Weinraub after several years of work representing and advocating for a broad range of clients before the legislative and executive branches of New York State government. Ms. Whalen's reputation for highly-effective lobbying and wise counsel has been developed through her work with hospital systems, corporations, not-for-profit organizations, and professional associations, with a particular focus on health care, professional licensing, and cannabis. She has advised clients on procurements and helped secure economic development funding for projects, as well.
Emily previously served as associate counsel in the New York State Senate Majority Counsel's office where she advised the Senate Majority Leader and members of the Majority Conference on Insurance and Banking issues. In this role she also negotiated legislative and budget priorities with the New York Assembly and Governor's Office. Her New York State government experience also includes work with the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Division of Parole, and she has spent time working in the nonprofit sector and private legal practice.
Emily is a graduate of Albany Law School (J.D.) and the State University of New York College at Geneseo (B.A.). She serves as board chair of the Empire Justice Center and has been recognized as a "40 Under 40 Rising Star" and "Above and Beyond" by City & State.
Erin Hammond joins Brown and Weinraub after serving as Director of External Affairs at the Office of Cannabis Management.
Erin brings with her a diverse background working across State agencies and in the Governor's Office. Bringing with her 15 years of experience in state agency operations Erin's unique insight on state operations make her an invaluable advocate for organizations and businesses across New York State.
Beginning her state career in the Governor's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Erin has worked closely with agencies across State government and developed effective working relationships with their executive and operational staff. Through her work at the Executive Chamber, Erin was able to identify a role in the Health Department that matched her skills in state operations with her passion for health care.
Joining the New York State Department of Health in 2008, Erin was able to quickly establish herself as a smart, effective resource for programs across he Department. She worked in a variety of positions in the Governmental and Public Affairs Department of the Department of Health (DOH) eventually serving as a primary point of contact between DOH and the Governor's Office. During theCOVID-19 pandemic, Erin worked as part of the Governor's Office and DOH, taking on increased responsibilities to coordinate with other state agencies, assist in fiscal planning in response to the pandemic, and collaborating on statewide initiative to promote equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. At DOH, Erin also participated in the development of strategic communication planning, creation of annual legislative priorities, and a range of activities designed to effectively integrate external feedback in the work of DOH.
Following her time at the DOH, Erin was afforded the unique opportunity to serve as the first Director of External Affairs for the newly created NYS Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). In this role, Erin was able to be a foundational part of the development and implementation of OCM's work and goals. Erin created the OCM External Affairs Unit, worked to establish communication between industry partners and agency staff, and participated in the development and launch of OCM's first set of comprehensive cannabis regulations.
Erin looks forward to bringing her passion and experience to the team at Brown& Weinraub. Erin has been a life-long advocate for health equity - spending over 10 years working for St. Peter's Health Partners as an advocate for elderly patients, Erin knows first-hand the impact of health policy on patients and their families.
James is an attorney and registered lobbyist who joined the firm with extensive experience in the New York State Legislature and broader state government. James served as First Assistant Counsel in the Office of Majority Counsel in the New York State Senate and served on the senior staff of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. In this capacity, he managed day to day operations of an office of twenty-five attorneys and oversaw all aspects of legislation moving from committees to the floor of the Senate, including the Article VII portions of the Budget. He also served as the Senate's Parliamentarian overseeing all floor operations for the chamber.
James also served as Counsel to the Rules committee and negotiated major pieces of legislation with the Assembly and Governor's office in the areas of Labor, Civil Service, Education, Corporations, and Real Property Tax. Prior to his role as First Assistant Counsel, he served as Special Counsel to the New York State Senate's Majority Leader. He also previously worked in the Senate Majority Counsel's Office, as counsel to the Education and Real Property Tax Committees.
James is also a seasoned election lawyer having served as counsel to candidates for office at every level of government ranging from village trustee to members of congress. He has also served as compliance counsel to various political action committees (PACs) and independent expenditures across the State. James is currently counsel to two major political party state committees.
James is a graduate of Albany Law School and Siena College and is admitted to practice in New York State. James has been recognized by City & State as a 40 under 40 Albany Rising Star.
A partner of our firm, Mr. Harris focuses his practice on the intersection of law, business and government. He has significant experience working with clients on environmental, energy and government affairs matters. Mr. Harris has also represented clients before state and local agencies in connection with the regulatory review, permitting, financing and development of projects such as residential apartment complexes, solid waste and recycling facilities, asphalt plants, mines, golf courses, office buildings, casinos, shopping centers and electric transmission and generation projects.
Mr. Harris has counseled clients in connection with large hazardous waste remediation and violations of the state's pesticide regulations, negotiated consent orders with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and assisted with applying to DEC for eligibility in New York's Brownfield Tax Credit Program.
He also works with clients in connection with proposed regulations and agency guidelines. He has advised insurers, computer companies, real estate developers, utilities and energy companies on pending legislation and rule making in the State of New York.
Mr. Harris counsels clients on developing bids and proposals for government contracts, and in negotiating and drafting final contract provisions. His legislative and procurement experience includes advising clients with respect to lobbying law, state finance law and ethics issues. A significant part of his practice focuses on counseling clients contracting with or seeking financing or financial assistance from various agencies and authorities in the State of New York, including the MTA, the Office of General Services, the Empire State Development Corporation, the New York State Thruway Authority, the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
He has provided advice and counsel to clients on various energy projects and proceedings, including permitting fossil fuel and renewable power generating facilities, permitting transmission cable projects, selling and purchasing regulated assets, and developing strategies for deploying sources of alternative energy such as fuel cells, wind and solar generation.
With a strong background in public finance, Mr. Harris has represented school districts, municipalities, industrial development agencies and other tax-exempt organizations as borrower's counsel and bond counsel on numerous tax-exempt transactions. He has represented underwriters, trustees and letter of credit banks on taxable and tax-exempt financings, including general obligation, revenue bond, certificate of participation and lease purchase financings. Mr. Harris has also negotiated numerous payment in lieu of tax agreements.
A 1989 graduate of Amherst College with a B.A. in economics, Mr. Harris received his law degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1992, where he was on the law review and graduated cum laude.
Jonathan Federman brings extensive experience in New York State government to Brown & Weinraub, having served in all three branches of State government. Most recently, Jonathan served as Special Counsel to the New York State Senate Majority, where he was responsible for the development and negotiation of legislative and budgetary proposals on a number of top Senate priorities. Previously, Jonathan served as Assistant Counsel to Governor George E. Pataki, and as confidential law clerk to the Hon. Richard C. Wesley at the New York State Court of Appeals.
Jonathan works primarily with the firm's Energy & Environment, Gaming and Health Care clients, developing strategies and crafting reforms to accomplish their goals, providing experienced counsel, and helping them successfully navigate every level of State government.
Jonathan is a graduate of Albany Law School and the State University of New York at Binghamton.
Lauren Tobias joined Brown and Weinraub after serving as the Director of the Division of Family Health in the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Title V Director. In this role Lauren oversaw NYS' initiatives aimed to improve and promote quality sexual and reproductive health services, perinatal health outcomes, and improve women, infant, child, and adolescent health and well-being. Lauren created a health equity team to focus efforts on addressing racial disparities and support a racial justice framework for the Division's initiatives.
Lauren has served in several other state positions including Deputy Director for Policy in the Office of Heath Systems Management and the Assistant Division Director, Program Development and Management, in the Office of Health Insurance Programs where she played an integral role in implementing the initial set of Medicaid Redesign initiatives, including Health Homes. Lauren also served in the NYS Assembly and worked in the nonprofit sector on policy and advocacy related to public health and social service systems which serve people of reproductive age and families.
Lauren earned her BA from Muhlenberg College and her Master's degree in Public Affairs and Policy with a concentration in health policy from the Rockefeller College of the State University at Albany. Lauren was the recipient of the 2019 NYS Department of Health Employee of the Year
LouAnn Ciccone joined Brown & Weinraub after a 30-year career in the New York State Assembly, serving most recently as Secretary to the Speaker and Senior Policy Advisor to Speaker Carl Heastie. Ms. Ciccone, who was the first woman to serve in this senior role, was responsible for advancing the Assembly Majority's policy agenda and oversaw a staff of more than 100 employees. Her tenure spanned the administrations of three Speakers and six Governors and she has participated in many of the most significant political, policy and budget initiatives in the state's history.
In her role as Secretary to the Speaker and Senior Policy Advisor, Ms. Ciccone served as the Assembly's lead negotiator on both legislative matters and on the adoption of the state's annual budget. She was responsible for advancing the Assembly's priorities with both the Governor's office and the New York State Senate, as well as with numerous external stakeholders. In recent years, Ms. Ciccone was instrumental in helping the Assembly achieve several of the body's most historically productive legislative sessions, with numerous long-stalled progressive policies moving forward on behalf of New York residents.
She began her career with the Assembly as an intern in1992. Since then, she served in a number of increasingly senior capacities for Program and Policy, including working for the committees on Labor, Insurance, Health and Gaming. LouAnn Ciccone was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. She earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from SUNY New Paltz.
Job Titles:
- President of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities
Mary Beth Labate joined Brown & Weinraub after serving as President of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU), an Albany based not-for-profit organization that represents the chief executives of New York's 100+ independent (private, not-for-profit) colleges and universities on issues of public policy.
Ms. Labate has more than 30 years of experience in government and public policy. Most recently she served in the State University of New York (SUNY) as Senior Advisor to the Chancellor for Fiscal Policy. She spent 23 years in the New York State Budget Division, beginning with Governor Mario Cuomo and culminating in her appointment as Budget Director and First Deputy Budget Director for Governor Andrew Cuomo, where she was responsible for day-to- day operations of the Budget Division, and overall management of the State's $154 billion financial plan. Ms. Labate was responsible for developing, negotiating and implementing the Executive Budget, economic and revenue forecasting, tax policy, fiscal planning, capital financing and management of the State's debt portfolio.
Ms. Labate has held a variety of leadership roles within the Budget Division, including in the higher education, human services, transportation, environment, and economic development sectors. In addition, she has served as Deputy Commissioner for Administration for the Division of Housing and Community Renewal and the New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Ms. Labate has served on several boards, including the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), the Housing Finance Agency (HFA), the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) and the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC). She was chair of the Higher Education Capital (HECap) Matching Grants Program as well as the "Saving More to Achieve Richer Tomorrows" (SMART) Commission. Ms. Labate currently serves on the board of the Better Community Neighborhoods Inc.
A Phi Beta Kappa undergraduate of the University of Notre Dame, Ms. Labate holds an M.A. in Public Administration from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy. She lives in Saratoga with her husband Steven. They have three children.
Maryann McCarthy has spent the last decade representing all segments of the oil and natural gas industry as Associate Director of the American Petroleum Institute in New York where she also served as Director of Government Affairs responsible for legislative, regulatory and public policy engagement strategies on behalf of a diverse, international membership. Working with the New York State Legislature and the Department of Environmental Conservation, she tackled issues surrounding the energy transition including the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, the Transportation Climate Initiative, the low carbon fuel standard, biofuels and natural gas infrastructure. She brings extensive experience in energy and environmental policy to assist companies in navigating the transition to a clean energy economy.
Maryann has managed external relationships with congressional representatives, state and city elected officials, regulatory agencies, the business community, NGO's, professional associations and industry trade groups. She regularly utilized strategic partnerships, coalition building, grassroots mobilization and media campaigns on a range of issues including the Renewable Fuels Standard, energy infrastructure and the critical role of natural gas for electricity generation.
Maryann's crisis management experience includes working with Governor Andrew Cuomo's Office and the Department of Homeland Security on supply chain preparedness, directing fuel to Long Island and creating a waiver playbook to avoid further fuel disruptions in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Previously, she served as Vice President of Business Development and Government Affairs for the Industries for the Blind of New York State, working closely with the Legislature, the Office of General Services and Regional Economic Development Councils via the procurement law. Maryann was appointed by Governor George Pataki as Commissioner of the New York State Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board at the Department of Labor where she managed the appeals program while supervising over 200 Hearing and Appellate Administrative Law Judges.
Her early career was spent as a Senior Associate at the law firm of Harter, Secrest and Emery LLP, where she advised a wide range of corporations, not-for-profit organizations and trade associations across a variety of industries including biotechnology, transportation, energy and healthcare. She was responsible for advancing legislative and regulatory agendas before state governmental entities, developing proposals for government contracts, securing economic development incentives and assisting clients in forming strategic alliances with both the public and private sectors.
Through her varied experiences, Maryann has developed in-depth knowledge of the state legislative and regulatory process with expertise in pursuing economic development opportunities and job creation, always with a goal of enhancing economic and environmental progress. Maryann is a member of Lean in Energy, a global non-profit devoted to mentoring in the energy sector and disrupting the gender gap in energy. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees for the Academy of the Holy Names. She graduated magna cum laude from Providence College with a BS in Accounting and received her law degree from Albany Law School.
Michael R. Fleischer has been engaged in transportation policy in New York State for nearly 25 years, including leadership positions at the highest levels of New York State's major transportation agencies during the administrations of four Governors.
Fleischer served as Executive Director of the New York State Thruway from to 2003 to2011. As the Chief Executive Officer of the 570-mile Thruway and the 524-milestate barge Canal System, Fleischer managed the day-to-day operations of the Authority while directly reporting to a Board of Directors consisting of seven members appointed by the Governor of New York State. He developed and executed a state wide campaign to build support for the financing of a multi-year capital program, which included the first successful toll modification program implemented in nearly twenty years while focusing on preserving the Thruway's infrastructure, E-Z Pass improvements, enhanced customer service, and operational efficiencies
Fleischer worked at the New York State Department of Transportation from 1995 to 2003including serving as First Deputy Commissioner at NYSDOT, where he was directly responsible for the development and implementation of the Department's $1.65billion annual highway and bridge program and the Department's $4 billion annual budget, including funding for aviation, rail, ferry and transit programs, as well as the administrative functions of the agency, including the Offices of Budget and Finance, Engineering, Human Resources, and the Directors of Public Affairs and Governmental Relations.
Fleischer's government service career began with over six years in the New York State Legislature, including on the staffs of State Senator John R. Dunne (Nassau County) and State Senator John B. Daly (Niagara County).
Mr. Fleischer is also a NYS licensed attorney.
Molly Marcy joined Brown & Weinraub after more than a decade of experience in New York State government and politics. Most recently, Molly served as Governor Andrew Cuomo's Director of Legislative Affairs where she advised the Governor and senior officials on legislative strategy and served as a primary liaison between the Legislature and the Executive Chamber. Molly concurrently served as Director of Cabinet Affairs, where she was the principal liaison to members of the Governor's cabinet advancing the Governor's policy agenda.
Prior to her administration appointments, Molly was Senior Advisor to the Deputy Democratic Leader in the New York State Senate. In this role she served as the Senator's primary representative in all State budget and policy negotiations. Additionally, she has played an active role in numerous federal state and local political campaigns including serving as an assistant vice president of the Hamilton Campaign Network.
Molly has been profiled in the Albany Times Union for her and her family's role as women in New York politics. City & State named Molly one of its 40 Under 40 Albany Rising Stars. She is a graduate of the State University of New York's University at Albany.
Neil Benjamin joined the firm after 31 years at the New York State Department of Health, most recently as director of the Division of Health Facility Planning. There, he was responsible for many high-level programs and initiatives ranging from overseeing the Certificate of Need Program to administering the HEAL NY (Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law) and FSHRP (Federal- State Health Reform Partnership) grant programs.
He was also liaison to the Berger Commission and represented the DOH on the Dormitory Authority board. Neil oversaw many workforce retention and recruitment programs, and was a key member of the DOH internal team dealing with health care crisis situations including bankruptcies and reorganizations. He helped create innovative programs designed to measure public health indicators and use them for new approaches to health care service and market planning, such as the Prevention Quality Indicators navigator.
He has particular expertise in antitrust/market share analysis and assessing strategic planning initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions and governance changes and capital development/financing strategies for hospitals, long term care facilities and outpatient clinics including ambulatory surgery.
Pat Lespinasse joined the firm following a more than 10-year career with Verizon Communications where he served as Director of Government and External Affairs responsible for representing the interests of the company on a broad range of public policy, legislative, regulatory and corporate responsibility matters across New York State.
Following several years as a Legislative Aide in the Assembly to Thomas P. DiNapoli, Patrick served in the Office of the New York State Comptroller assisting with various transition-related projects. He has also enjoyed the privilege of serving as an Adjunct Instructor and guest speaker at leading universities in the region.
Patrick serves on the Board of Directors of The Haitian Roundtable and the Board of Regents at NYU Winthrop Hospital. He is past Vice Chair of the York College Foundation (City University of New York) Board of Trustees and a booster for organizations that provided him with formative educational opportunities, including the Ronald H. Brown Center for Politics & Commercial Diplomacy, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and American Council of Young Political Leaders.
Lespinasse is a graduate of St. John's University and The George Washington University Law School.
Patrick uses the law as a powerful tool to protect your interests, and will establish a strategic plan to guide you through transactional obstacles, litigation, regulations and administrative process. He has spent the last two decades providing legal and strategic advice to companies of all sizes, unions, hospitals, non-profit organizations, and associations. His expertise in ethics, election law, health care, financial services, economic development, gaming, and Indian law has proved invaluable to our clients.
Patrick Brown received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from SUNY Oneonta in 1978 and his Juris Doctorate summa cum laude from Pace University School of Law in 1983.
Patrick E. Brown employs his extensive public and private sector legal and public policy experience to craft legal solutions that are innovative and effective in meeting our clients' objectives. Before co-founding the firm in 2001, he served as head of the New York State Court of Appeals in-house legal team. He joined Governor Mario Cuomo's Counsel's Office in 1987, where he provided legal and public policy counsel to the governor and his senior staff.
Professional Affiliations
New York State Bar Association
Chair of the SUNY Oneonta College Council.
Member of the Advisory Board of the Government Law Center of Albany Law School.
Elected member of the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School Board
Former Member of the Town of Coeymans Zoning Board of Appeals.
Ron Greenberg, Senior Advisor at Brown & Weinraub, brings to the firm nearly two decades of experience in New York State government in various senior appointed positions, including first deputy budget director to three governors, deputy of Enterprise Shared Services, and assistant deputy commissioner of tax policy. He advises clients on management consulting opportunities, information technology modernization, and identifying target markets in the state to advance strategic objectives.
He has been recognized as an innovator in government using private sector best practices to transform inefficient and ineffective state business processes. The transformation models he designed fundamentally changed the fabric of state government, including the statewide strategy for an enterprise-wide shared services program for the Governor's Office. Mr. Greenberg was also the architect of the most significant restructuring of technology services across New York State agencies creating a single statewide Information Technology agency by consolidating the offices of over fifty state CIOs and an almost $1 billion budget.
In 2013, Mr. Greenberg was inducted into the New York State Information Technology Hall of Fame. In 2020, he was recognized in City and State New York's Inaugural Gov Tech 50 for his work advising technology companies doing business with New York State. Mr. Greenberg has taught and lectured at the University of Albany, presented at the Yale School of Management graduate seminar "Innovation in Government," the Business Council of New York State and the Rockefeller Institute of Government. He has an M.A. in Public Policy Analysis and Administration from Binghamton University and an M.B.A. from the University at Albany.
Professional Affiliations
Center for Technology in Government at the University at Albany, Government Fellow
Ron Rock joined Brown & Weinraub after serving more than 30 years in New York State government. He had the pleasure to serve four governors in various appointed senior positions including secretary of transportation, first deputy in the Division of the Budget, and chairman of the New York Higher Education Capital Committee.
For more than 25 years, he was the chief architect of the state's multi-year transportation plans encompassing approximately $100 billion of funding. Ron also guided the state's evolution of its economic development programs from primarily manufacture-based incentives to today's grants and tax credits attracting emerging high tech firms across the state. His experience put him at the forefront in the governor's office in the state's successful efforts to attract nanotechnology and microchip fabrication investments in the Capital Region.
He spearheaded initiatives to revamp the multi-billion dollar higher education capital budgets, giving the SUNY and CUNY systems greater autonomy at the campus levels. Ron was also responsible for overseeing the fiscal aspects of the state's environmental and energy programs, and led the Governor's staff in overseeing rapidly developing state information technology enhancements including a new automated statewide fiscal system.
Ron is working with transportation, finance, energy, information technology and economic development clients throughout the state.
He also served as Chairman of the Board for SEFCU, one of the nation's largest credit union and the prime financial institution for New York State employees. In this role, Ron oversaw the recent merger of SEFCU and CAP CON credit into the new Broadview Credit Union, serving 500,000 members and $8 billion in assets . Broadview is now on of the top 30 credit unions in assets throughout the country. He was awarded the top credit union volunteer of the year award in 2022 by the New York State Credit Union League in recognition of 15 years as the chair of SEFCU.
Ron was recognized among City & StateNY's Top 100 in Economic Development in New York State in 2021 and 2022.