Guv's inner circle a mix of old and new faces

Pre-inaugural appointments of the more familiar names to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's inner circle preceded or eclipsed announcement of newer ones. Top examples: secretary Steven Cohen, counsel Mylan Denerstein, chief of staff Benjamin Lawsky and appointments secretary Leslie Leach come straight from the attorney general's office; Drew Zambelli, counselor, and Howard Glaser, state operations director, were aides to Gov. Mario Cuomo. Paul Francis, director of agency redesign, and Lawrence Schwartz, senior adviser, were Spitzer-Paterson officials. Fresh faces include Dr. Nirav R. Shah, a Manhattan physician, as nominee for state health commissioner, and Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, commissioner and community service director for Nassau's mental health department, to head the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

- Dan Janison