Director of Public Affairs

Thomas J. O’Connor is an accomplished legislative expert with nearly 25 years experience in high-level positions in New York State government. Tom concluded his state service in August 2009 serving as Assistant Chief Executive Officer of the State Liquor Authority (Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control) under Governor Paterson. Tom also served as Deputy Commissioner for Government Affairs at the State Liquor Authority from 2006 to 2007 under Governor George Pataki and Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Prior to his service at the State Liquor Authority, Tom served as Assistant Commissioner for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Environmental Conservation, Director of the State Human Resources Management Directorate Division of Military & Naval Affairs, and Director of Legislative Affairs at the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance. Tom also served in high-level legislative staff positions for eleven years in the New York State Senate.

Mr. O’Connor received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany and a Master of Public Administration degree from the Graduate School of Public Affairs of Rockefeller College. He is married to the Honorable Kimberly O’Connor, Acting Supreme Court Justice. They reside with their daughter Lauren in the Town of Guilderland, New York.