Astorino Appoints Three to High County Gov. Roles

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- County Executive Robert Astorino announced three new county government additions Thursday. 

Effective Thursday, Natasha Caputo, the former vice president of New York City’s tourism marketing organization, will work as Westchester’s director of tourism and film. The county has also recruited Rosa Boone, the executive director of the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless, to be deputy commissioner of Westchester’s Social Services beginning Sept. 6. Sherlita Amler, the commissioner of health for Putnam County, will become Westchester’s commissioner of health on Oct. 3. 

Astorino, a Republican, said he’s looking forward to working with the new recruits.

“Making government responsive to the needs of its citizens requires putting talented individuals into critical positions,” Astorino said in a statement from the county executive’s office. “The breadth of experience and enthusiasm that these three women bring to my administration will help us deliver on our agenda of providing essential services in the smartest and most cost-effective way possible.”

More detailed descriptions of the appointees follow.

Natasha Caputo, director of tourism and film:

Natasha Caputo, of Mount Kisco, developed trademark marketing campaigns such as “restaurant week” while serving as the vice president of strategic marketing and partnerships for NYC & Company, the city’s official tourism organization. She has also worked as a consultant for American Express, Madison Square Garden Entertainment, and City Harvest. 

Rosa Boone, deputy commissioner of social services:

White Plains resident Rosa Boone will be overseeing the county’s Department of Social Services, which soaks up about a third of the county’s operating budget with its $575 million annual budget. 

Boone has been the executive director of the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless, where she’s worked since 1993. The College of New Rochelle graduate has also served as the vice chair of the White Plains Juneteenth Committee, the commissioner of the White Plains Housing Authority, and as an advisory committee member of the White Plain’s Community Block Grant Program.

Sherlita Amler, commissioner of health:

Amler, a Brewster resident, will be assuming a position that has remained unfilled since Astorino took office in January of 2010. Cheryl Archbald, a deputy commissioner of heath in the Community Health division, has been serving as the health commissioner since Astorino took office in January of 2010. 

Amler earned a medical sciences degree from the University of Arkansas in 1996. She completed her residency in pediatrics at the Louisiana State University in New Orleans and underwent special training in field epidemiology with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, where she worked from 2000 to 2004. She is also a professor at the New York Medical College’s School of Medicine.

 

What are your thoughts on the new appointees? Do you think the county government is investing wisely? Email thoughts to strangle@thedailywhiteplains.com and we'll include your responses in future coverage.

 

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