WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced today that he is appointing George Oros as the new Director of Economic Development and that Phil Oliva, the current Deputy Director of Communications, will succeed Oros as Chief of Staff.
Both appointments are effective March 13.
As Director of Economic Development and Special Adviser to the County Executive, Oros will oversee all of the traditional management responsibilities for the Office of Economic Development, the Industrial Development Agency, and the Local Development Corporation. He will also continue to be part of the senior level staff that advises the County Executive and will work on select initiatives and policy matters, such as the public-private partnership proposed for Westchester County Airport, the federal Affordable Housing Settlement, the closing of Indian Point and other projects.
As Chief of Staff, Oliva will oversee the legislative agenda for Westchester at the federal, state and county levels. He will also coordinate intergovernmental relations with municipalities and supervise constituent services.
“Good management and good government go hand in hand,” said Astorino. “The public will be well served having these two talented and experienced professionals in these key positions. Both have private sector experience, as well as first-hand knowledge of the elective, executive and legislative workings of government. This combination will allow us to further our agenda of protecting taxpayers, preserving essential services and promoting economic growth.”
Prior to joining the administration as Chief of Staff when Astorino took office in January 2010, Oros served 14 years as a County Legislator, including being elected Board Chairman and Minority Leader. A lawyer by training, Oros had a private law practice for more than 25 years. He is a graduate of Pace Law School and Pace University, where he obtained a Bachelor in Business Administration, majoring in marketing.
“It is an honor to be named to this position,” said Oros. “I am very grateful for the confidence the County Executive has placed in me and look forward to working with our partners in the business sector to spur continued economic growth in our county.”
Prior to joining the Astorino administration, Oliva worked for IMS Health, a global health care company, as Director of External Affairs, and ran his own consulting firm Gipper Communications. In his earlier career, he worked at various positions in state and federal government. He earned an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena College.
“I’m excited for this new opportunity to help the County Executive continue to keep Westchester heading in the right direction,” said Oliva.
William Mooney III, the current director of Economic Development, announced last month that he was leaving the post in March to take a position in the private sector with Signature Bank. Mooney has been with the Astorino administration since 2010. Remarking on Mooney’s departure, Astorino said, “While we are sorry to see Billy leave our county team, I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his commitment and dedicated service and wish him success and happiness in his future endeavors.”