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"There is no better, more experienced person to lead this very important county department than Joan Silvestri," County Executive Ed Day said. "She is a skilled executive with a long record of service to the people of Rockland County."
Day's nomination of Silvestri, the former Commissioner of Personnel, was unanimously approved this week by the Rockland County Legislature.
"Joan Silvestri enjoys strong support," Day said. "Her skills as a manager and her commitment to Rockland County are widely recognized."
Silvestri replaces Commissioner Susan Sherwood, who retired.
"We thank Sue Sherwood for her years of dedication to the people of Rockland County," Day said. "Her legacy is a well-run department that works to fill the needs of many of Rockland's most vulnerable residents."
The Department of Social Services has an annual budget of $155.6 million and 380 employees. It administers state and federal programs, including Medicaid, which accounts for more than half of the county's entire budget.
Silvestri has served as Commissioner of Personnel since March, 2011. Before that, she was Rockland County's Commissioner of Elections, a position she began in 2001.
Silvestri was an executive with Verizon for many years before entering public service.
She graduated from Albertus Magnus High School in Bardonia and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in accounting from Dominican College in Orangeburg, where she graduated magna cum laude.
Silvestri also has an MBA from Iona College in New Rochelle, where she graduated with honors.
She has been involved in many community organization, including the Rockland County Mental Health Association, where she has served on the Board of Directors since 2006. Silvestri is a former president of the New York State Election Commissioner's Association.
She lives in Pomona with her husband and three children.
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