June 1999 Issue

Leadership Academy Visits Albany Lawmakers

The NYSSCPA Leadership Academy met with members from each branch of New York state government to learn about what they do and how they work with each other on May 19.

Frank Munoz, executive director, Office of Professional Responsibility, and Daniel J. Dustin, executive secretary to the State Board for Public Accountancy, detailed their responsibilities in a morning meeting.

Later, Leadership Academy members walked to the capitol, where they met with Jeff Lovell ), deputy secretary to the governor. He told academy members about his 20-year career in Albany.

"It takes luck, timing, and packaging," Lovell said after giving examples of bills he worked on that were passed.

Assemblyman Edward C. Sullivan, chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, explained how he determines whether a bill meets the criteria necessary to become law, especially with regard to those that deal with the professions.

The group then met with Diana Georgia, counsel to Senator Kenneth LaValle, and John Demarest, program associate, Senate Program and Counsel (not pictured). They told Leadership Academy members how they help the senator determine whether a bill should be considered for sponsorship.