By Tom Precious
ALBANY – The acting head of the Cuomo administration’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is leaving to take a top post at the state Education Department.
Elizabeth Berlin, a respected social services policy expert, will join the education department in January as its new executive deputy commissioner in charge of the day-to-day running of the large agency that, unlike other state agencies, answers to a Board of Regents and not the governor.
Berlin’s departure will be felt, sources say, because she has been serving the job as acting commissioner and executive deputy commissioner for several years. Berlin will replace Valerie Grey, who recently left the education department to take a senior post at the Healthcare Association of New York State, a trade group representing hospitals and nursing homes.
The Board of Regents has also filled another top post at the education agency: Donald Juron will become the agency’s chief financial officer. He began his career with the education department 30 years ago as an assistant accountant.
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