DARCEY LYNN COBBS holds a Bachelors Degree in French and Finance from Florida State University and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University. She joined the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation in 2003 after having worked in the private and non-profit sectors. Darcey currently works as the Supervisor of HIV Support Services at Harlem Hospital where she oversees six Ryan White Title I funded programs that provide services to people living with HIV/AIDS.

JAMES P. COLGATE is the Technical Code Coordinator for the Department of Buildings. As Coordinator, James drafts legislation, rules, and interpretations of the Zoning Resolution, Building Code, and other laws. Prior to working at the Department of Buildings, he worked for the Department of City Planning and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. James received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from New York University and holds a Master of Architecture Degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Law Degree from Fordham University.

AMANDA CRUZ is the Manager/Geographic Information Systems Director for the New York City Department of Transportation's Street Assessment Unit. Her unit is responsible for conducting daily inspections of street conditions. Amanda also works on mapping projects for other Department of Transportation units such as Highway Inspections Quality Assurance (HIQA), Sidewalks, and Special Events. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Geography and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning. Amanda is also a member of Geographic Information Systems and Mapping Operations (GISMO).

DEBORA DANIEL-PREUDHOMME is Director of the Long Term Home Health Care Program (Lombardi) Medical Assistance Program. Prior to joining Home Care Services (HCS) in 2002, Debora worked as the Director of Brooklyn's Office of HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) where she managed Housing budgets and social services. Debora has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Brooklyn College, a Masters Degree in Social Work from Hunter College, and a Post-Masters Certificate in Clinical Therapy from Adelphi University. In her spare time, Debora is a volunteer Peer Reviewer for the New York Council of Accreditation for Children and Family Services and a Cadet Leader for the Girl Scouts of America.

PATRIA FRIAS-COLON, originally from the Dominican Republic, is a proud wife and mother of three children. Patria serves as the Assistant Deputy Counsel to the Chancellor at the New York City Department of Education, an organization that services 1.1 million children. She holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Rochester and a Law Degree from Hofstra University. In addition to working for City government, Patria is also an adjunct professor at St. John's University School of Education where she teaches a course on the legal aspects of school administration.

SOURETTE GERMAN joined the Department For The Aging (DFTA) in July 2003 as the Agency's Budget Director. Before working for the Department For The Aging, Soeurette spent six years at the Office of Management and Budget. Soeurette holds a Bachelors Degree in Finance from St. John's University and a Master of Public Administration Degree from New York University.

CARLYLE HOYT began working for the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) in 1999. As Director of Outreach and Drop-In Center Services, he is responsible for the administration of all DHS programs that serve street-dwelling homeless people. Before coming to New York City, Carlyle was the manager of Original Music, a record label dedicated to releasing African pop music from the 1950's, 60's and 70's. The label has also released recordings of street musicians from Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

JONNIE MAE HOWARD is Borough Director of the Kings and Queens County Alternative to Detention Centers (ATD). As Borough Director, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the department's Early Intervention Program. Most recently, Jonnie has been involved in the expansion of the ATD program, working on the eagerly anticipated Brooklyn/Queens site. Jonnie received her Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Science from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.

RENALDO HYLTON is the supervisor of the Legal Enforcement Unit for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Renaldo began employment with FDNY 12 years ago as a Fire Protection Inspector with the Bureau of Fire Prevention. He is a proud husband and father of two children, a girl and a boy. Renaldo has also dedicated 19 years of service to the New York Army National Guard where he works part-time and holds the rank of Captain.

ACHILLES KATSANAKIS is a Senior Policy Analyst for the Office of Contract Administration at the NYC Comptrollers Office. Achilles has worked with the NYC Comptrollers Office for 10 years. During his tenure, Achilles has identified City vendors who were determined unfit to do business with the City, and helped the City save millions of dollars. Achilles was also able to identify and recover millions of dollars worth of taxes and judgments owed to City, State, and Federal governments. Prior to working in City government, Achilles investigated Superfund sites for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

SHEILA MACHADO began her career at the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) in 1996. During her eight years at HPD, Sheila has held numerous positions including Policy Analyst and Director of Program Analysis and Capital Planning. Sheila is now a member of the Strategic Planning Group which recently produced the Agency's five-year plan "The New Marketplace: Creating Housing for the Next Generation." Sheila has a Master of Arts Degree in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and is a candidate for a Masters Degree in City Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

IVAN MARTIN has worked for the Department of Environmental Protection for 25 years. Currently he serves as Operation Manager for the Environmental Control Board. During the 12 years he has served as Operation Manager, Ivan has been committed to improving the quality of life for New York City residents as well as New York City workers.

ROBIN McCLARY holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, a Master of Arts Degree from New York University and a Juris Doctor Degree from Rutgers School of Law. She is currently the Director of Out of School Youth Initiatives at the Department of Youth and Community Development. Robin's work in the public sector includes telecommunications consulting and she has held senior positions with the Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York City Law Department/Office of Corporation Council, and the New York City Council. She also worked in the South Bronx on the Federal Empowerment Zone and from 1999-2001 worked as a staff attorney with a major New York City law firm.

JANICE McDONALD is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Division of Structures at the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC). Janice started in City government in 1990 and later joined DDC in 1996 as a Senior Personnel Liaison. Before joining the City, Janice worked in the private sector as an Account Executive and a Telemarketing Director.

BROOKE McKENNA is the Director of Special Projects in the Office of the First Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Transportation (DOT). Prior to joining DOT in 2002, Brooke obtained an MBA Degree and a Masters in Information Systems Degree from Boston University. Before entering City government, Brooke worked in the Financial Services industry, holding positions with State Street Global Advisors and Fleet Investment Advisors.

MARY T. McLAUGHLIN has been the Director of Health Services at the NYC Fire Department for five years. Mary is responsible for the operation of the Duty Evaluation Clinic and Annual Fitness Unit which serves 15,000 field personnel. In addition, she oversees workers' compensation claims processing, infectious exposure follow up, counseling issues, and all other administrative aspects in the unit. Mary is currently involved in a number of FDNY initiatives including the Bioterrorism Task Force, the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program, and the Bone Marrow Donor Program.

JIBRAIL NOR is the manager for Riverside Park in Manhattan. He began working part-time for Parks and Recreation in 1994 as an Urban Park Ranger. He started working full-time for Parks and Recreation in 2000 after graduating from Oberlin College with a major in Politics. In his spare time, Jibrail is a drummer for a number of New York City bands.

BRIGIDA T. PIRO has worked in the MIS Department at the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) for seven years. Brigida directs business analysts and programmers in the design, development, and implementation of information technology systems for various departments throughout the Agency. Her most recent success was the implementation of a state-of-the-art Oracle Web-based system that manages the shipment and processing of case records at ACS sites and warehouses.

STEPHANIE D. RAMSEY has been employed with the Human Resources Administration's (HRA) Office of Budget Administration for five years. Currently, Stephanie is the Budget Director for the Medical Insurance and Community Service Administration (MICSA), the HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) and the Office of Domestic Violence and Emergency Intervention Services (ODVEIS). These programs operate at a total budget of over $3.5 billion dollars. Stephanie has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology from Syracuse University. She also holds a Masters Degree in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from the Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy at the New School University.

DAVID M. SANTORO earned a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Wagner College in 1987 and a Juris Doctor Degree, Cum Laude, from New York Law School in 1990. After graduating from New York Law School, he joined the NYC Law Department in the Tort Division as an Assistant Corporation Counsel. In 1995 David became Deputy Borough Chief and in 2001, Deputy Chief of the Tort Division where he now helps to manage a legal division staff of 400.

MONA SEHGAL is Deputy General Counsel in the Department of Buildings Counsel's Office. Mona oversees the Unsafe Buildings Unit, supervises attorneys, and advises on a wide range of issues related to contracts, conflict of interest, FOIL, the Building Code, and the Zoning Resolution. Prior to joining the Department, Mona was an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the NYC Law Department's Commercial and Real Estate Division, and previously, in the Administrative Law Division. She received her Bachelors Degree in Political Science from New York University and her Juris Doctor Degree from the Northeastern University School of Law.

SCOTT THOMSON is a graduate of Stony Brook University and a 12 year member of the New York City Police Department. He currently holds the position of Training Sergeant for the Mid-Town South Precinct. Scott's past assignments have included patrol, anti-crime, and vice enforcement in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx. He has been awarded medals for outstanding service five times and has received the "Cop of the Month" Award four times. Scott is presently on the Lieutenants list and hopes to be promoted this July.

PEGGY TIERNEY, a graduate of Fordham University, has 15 years of service with the New York City Department of Investigation. Starting as an entry-level investigator, Peggy rose through the ranks and is now the Executive Director of the Background Investigation, Vendex, Complaint, and Fingerprint Units. She is also the 2004 recipient of the Commissioner's Award for Outstanding Performance by a Manager. In her spare time Peggy enjoys traveling and is an avid golfer.

JENIA E. VALENTINE has been in public service for 21 years. Before coming to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), Jenia spent 10 years at the Mayor's Office working for various top-level City officials. As Coordinator of Special Programs at the Bureau of Personnel Development, Jenia manages the Mayor's Summer Internship Program, the Citywide Orientation Program for new employees, and the Citywide Academic Degrees Programs. Jenia graduated Summa Cum Laude from Monroe College and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Administration at Baruch College.

IN MEMORIUM
1954 - 2004

THOMAS L. STOFKA served as Director of Brooklyn Forestry at the Department of Parks and Recreation for ten years. During his 25 year career with the Department of Parks, Tom worked as an Urban Park Ranger and Park Supervisor. He was also responsible for maintaining trees lining the streets, parks, and playgrounds in Brooklyn. Tom worked closely with many governmental agencies in combating the Asian long-horned beetle since its discovery in Brooklyn in 1996. This collaboration resulted in the team being honored with an award for excellence by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Tom Stofka passed away May 7, 2004. We salute Tom, his many professional accomplishments, and his contributions to his City and this year's Management Academy.