Cuomo moves budget director to head Thruway; Schwartz departs

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a number of top-level appointments today, including moving his budget director to head the troubled state Thruway Authority and replacing his top aide, Larry Schwartz.

Budget director Bob Megna, who held the post since 2009, has been appointed as acting executive director of the Thruway Authority after top officials at the agency that oversees the 570-mile superhighway and Tappan Zee Bridge resigned last month.

As Cuomo starts a second term, he will do so with a number of new top aides, including replacing Schwartz, (left, with Cuomo) the former Westchester County deputy executive who was secretary under former Gov. David Paterson and kept the job under Cuomo, who first took office in 2011.

Cuomo's office said Schwartz is headed to the private sector. There was no additional details.

Cuomo will replace Schwartz with Bill Mulrow, a New York City businessman who has been involved in Democratic politics and ran for state Comptroller in 2002.

“New ideas and talent are critical to innovation and success. This team will build on the extraordinary progress made over the last four years by bringing experience, energy and fresh perspectives to the table,” Cuomo said in a statement.

Other announcements include: Patricia Gatling as deputy secretary for civil rights; Linda Lacewell, already a Cuomo adviser, as counselor; and Alphonso David, Cuomo's deputy secretary for civil rights, as counsel on April 1.

Mary Beth Labate, deputy budget director, will succeed Megna as budget director.

Cuomo made changes to his press office. Melissa DeRosa will stay as communications director and take on the role as strategic advisor to the Governor.

John Kelly, a vice president at the consulting firm SKD Knickerbocker, will serve as press secretary, while Beth DeFalco, a former reporter in New York and New Jersey, recently left the press office for New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker to serve as Cuomo's deputy director of communications for transportation.

Frank Sobrino, who worked for Bronx Sen. Jose Peralta, will be deputy director of communications for New York City.

Other appointments: Rick Cotton has been named special counsel for interagency initiatives; Andrew Kennedy as deputy director of state operations for policy; Matthew Millea as deputy director of operations for administration; Joseph Rabito as deputy director of state operations for programs; and Tracie Gardner has been appointed assistant secretary of health.

Kamilah Smith will be assistant secretary of homeland security, and Kisha Santiago-Martinez will be assistant secretary for housing.

Cuomo also nominated Donald Carey as a member of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.