Westchester District Attorney-elect Judge Susan Cacace has introduced the members of her 30-person Transition Team and scheduled their first meeting.
“We’re all excited about the formation of this team,” says Judge Cacace. “I’ve spent this last year listening to the concerns of the communities all around Westchester County, and this team is a reflection of that.”
The transition team brings together a wide range of perspectives including prosecutors and defense attorneys, law enforcement representatives, labor union leaders, community and minority advocates, academic law experts, and more. The full team consists of:
- Professor Carol Barry, Esq., Elizabeth Haub School of Law
- Mayo Bartlett, Esq.
- Gregory Bonaparte, Community Activist, City of Mount Vernon
- Michael Borrelli, Esq.
- Bob Cacace, CEO IT, City of Yonkers
- Professor Jay Carlisle, Esq., Elizabeth Haub School of Law
- Jeff Chartier, Esq.
- Hon. Jeffrey A. Cohen, Appellate Division 2nd Department (Ret.)
- Elizabeth Cronin, Esq., Associate Academic Program Director National Mass Violence Center
- Lisa Denig, Esq., Commissioner of Human Resources, Westchester County
- Pete DiChiara, President, Westchester County Corrections Superior Officers Association
- Christina DiMinno, Community Liaison, Town of Eastchester
- Joanne Dunn, Executive Director, Youth Shelter Program of Westchester
- Joanna Karlitz, Esq.
- Kathleen Keating, Esq.
- John Khader, President, MPAC Now (Mediterranean People and Communities)
- Rabbi Abraham Klein
- Lisa Linsky, Esq., Board Member of LGBT Community Center of NYC
- Jeni Long Wallace, Community Activist, Founder Matthew Wallace Foundation
- Josh Martin, Esq.
- Hon. Richard Molea, Former Supervising Judge of the Criminal Courts, Westchester County (Ret.)
- John Pappalardo, Esq.
- Lou Picani, President, Teamsters 456 & Political Affairs Director, Westchester Putnam Building & Construction Trades Council
- Rocco Pozzi, Commissioner, Westchester County Probation Department
- Steve Rubeo, Esq.
- Willie Saez, President, Westchester County Police Benevolent Association
- Jeremy Saland, Esq.
- Robi Schlaff, Esq., Director, Westchester County Office of Women
- James Timko, Esq.
- John Verni, Esq.
Willie Saez, President of the Westchester County Police Benevolent Association, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “The relationship between the District Attorney and law enforcement is arguably the most important relationship in the office. We are thrilled that Judge Cacace will be the next DA and I’m excited to be a part of this Transition Team. Working together is the best approach to achieving our common goal of Community Safety.”
Community Activist and Mount Vernon resident Greg Bonaparte expressed the importance of all communities having a voice in this new administration: “I am so honored to be a part of this transition team. I had the privilege of getting to know Susan very well during her campaign and I’m proud to stay a part of her team in this new capacity. Many communities feel ignored and neglected in this county. Susan was exceptionally sensitive to that during her campaign and she is proving already to be true to her word of making sure all communities and parts of this county have a voice in her office. I believe this is the beginning of a new day in Westchester and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it.”
Lou Picani, President of the Teamsters 456 and Westchester Putnam Building & Construction Trades Council Political Affairs Director stress the significance of union relationships with the DAs office: “As a Union President, it’s important for me to be able to report to my membership that our issues are heard in this District Attorney’s administration. We have unique concerns like ensuring that prevailing wage is enforced and combatting wage theft and it’s important that whoever is heading this office has an understanding of the specific challenges our workers face. I have every confidence Judge Cacace is the right person to lead this office and being asked to join the transition team only reinforces that belief.”
“I’m going to keep my promise of running an office based on transparency and with input from stakeholders throughout the county,” underscores Judge Cacace. “All communities will have a voice here and they will be heard. The formation of this team is the first step towards keeping that promise.”
The first meeting of the Transition Team is scheduled for January 18th.
Long list of cronies.