Legislative News Update: Budget and Executive Secretary Announcement, Eric Greppo, PE

The State Budget adopted late last week rejected the Governor’s proposed transfer of the health professions to DOH, and rejected several other proposals that would have had serious implications for OP’s work and for NYS licensed professionals. With the strong support of the Board of Regents and the Commissioner, OP remains intact and firmly embedded in the important work of the State Education Department. The enacted budget also increases OP’s spending authority, which will enable us to hire some much needed staff to handle our growing workload. While it will take time to rebuild OP’s staffing to a more sufficient level, we are thankful for the support and confidence demonstrated by the legislature, professional associations and other stakeholders.

The Board of Regents also appointed two new Executive Secretaries:
• Evan Seiden, LCSW, was appointed as the Executive Secretary to the State Board for Social Work and the State Board for Mental Health Practitioners. Evan has capably served OP as a social worker in the Professional Assistance Program for several years and will be transferring to the Board office to take on this new leadership role.
• Eric Greppo, PE, was appointed as the Executive Secretary to the State Board for Engineering, Land Surveying and Geology and the State Board for Interior Design. Eric brings to OP his professional experience in the private sector, as well as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS). Since 2009, Mr. Greppo has served as a Professional Engineer for the NYSDOCCS Office of Facilities Planning and Development, handling a wide variety of management and regulatory responsibilities.
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