Perales to Retire from Department of State, be Nominated to Empire State Development Board
Governor Cuomo has nominated Rossana Rosado as New York State Secretary of State. Ms. Rosado brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to New York State government, having recently served as the first female editor and publisher of the oldest Spanish-language newspaper in the country, El Diario-La Prensa, for nearly twenty years. Ms. Rosado is also a Distinguished Lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She will succeed Cesar Perales, lifelong public servant and founder of the New York State Office of New Americans, who has held the position since 2011.
“Rossana Rosado is a respected, intelligent leader with the experience New York needs to lift up working families and expand opportunity,” Governor Cuomo said. “From becoming the woman to serve as editor and publisher of the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the country, to championing reentry initiatives, to her work as an award-winning producer, Rossana brings a depth and diversity of experience that is second to none. I am confident Rossana will be a force for positive and lasting change in communities across the state, and I am proud to welcome her to this administration.”
Maverick Bronx State Senator Rubén Díaz, Sr., offered backhanded support for Ms. Rosado. Diaz said he hopes that as Secretary of State, Ms. Rosado will be more inclusive and impartial than when she was editor and publisher at El Diario. “She discriminated against me because of my position on gay marriage and abortion,” said Diaz in a phone interview.
Bronx Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda was appreciative that the governor has chosen a Hispanic woman to fill the seat, which by the way, was previously filled by two other Hispanics –Cesar Perales, who is stepping down after six years, and Bronxite Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez from 2007 to 2010.
“I’m sure Ms. Rosado, who brings tremendous experience and involvement in the Hispanic affairs of the city and state, will do an excellent job,” he said in a statement.
“It’s also a hopeful sign that Governor Cuomo is making efforts to bring Hispanics into the higher circle of his administration,” Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.
“I would also like to recognize the immense contributions of Cesar Perales, who over the past 40 years has dedicated himself to the greater good,” Governor Cuomo continued. “Cesar embodies everything this state stands for: justice, integrity, pride, compassion, and he is truly one of New York’s finest public servants. I wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”
Rossana Rosado said, “I am honored to be nominated by Governor Cuomo to serve as Secretary of State. The Governor has put forward a bold agenda to bring greater justice, opportunity and equality to all New Yorkers, and I look forward to joining him in that mission. While New York is built on diversity and difference, we are one state, working together towards a common goal of lifting up the marginalized and the vulnerable to create a brighter, stronger future for all.”
Cesar Perales said, “I thank the Governor for extending to me the privilege of serving as Secretary of State of New York. It has been the high point of my career and I will be forever grateful.”
Throughout her tenure at El Diario, Ms. Rosado’s strong leadership transformed the paper into a seven-day daily, multi-platform media brand serving thousands of New Yorkers and generating millions in revenue. Her fierce advocacy coupled with her drive lead the paper to its 100th anniversary.
In 1992, Ms. Rosado was appointed Vice President for Public Affairs at New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation where she served during both the Dinkins and Giuliani administrations. In that role, Ms. Rosado oversaw public affairs for the largest public hospital system in the country.
She has received numerous awards and accolades including a Peabody Award for Journalism, a New York State Broadcaster’s Award and a Star Award from the New York Women’s Agenda. She is an active volunteer and advocate, serving in advisory roles for the Fortune Society and Exodus Transitional Community. She has taught incarcerated individuals at Sing Sing and Otisville Correctional Facilities.
She previously served on the Port Authority Board of New York and New Jersey and has chaired the Governor’s Council on Reentry and Reintegration since July 2014.
Retiring Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales has served as Secretary and Senior Advisor for policy to the Governor since 2011. During his twenty-two years of public service, Perales served at the highest levels of government, including as Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Social Services and Deputy Mayor of New York City.
The Governor will nominate Perales to serve as member of the Board of Empire State Development. Perales will also continue to serve as an unpaid advisor to the Governor in the implementation of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
This post has been updated to include comments from Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.
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