By Tom Precious
ALBANY –- Gov. Andrew Cuomo has tapped a former top spokeswoman at NBC Universal as his new communications chief.
Allison Gollust will replace Richard Bamberger, who first began with Cuomo when the governor was state attorney general. Bamberger, a Westchester County resident, is leaving for an undetermined job in the private sector.
Gollust began her career as a television reporter and producer in Denver and served as spokeswoman for Major League Soccer. She was head of communications at NBC News from 2005 to 2009, and served as chief spokeswoman for its various network channels. Her other NBC jobs included being a publicist for the Today show. Her last title with the company was executive vice president of corporate communications at NBC Universal.
The Cuomo administration did not immediately release salary information for Gollust, who lives in New York City.
UPDATE: Gollust will make $169,100; officials say it is the same salary as Bamberger is paid.
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