LIers among those named to Cuomo transition team

Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo Monday released the names of additional members of his transition team, which includes several prominent Long Islanders.

Among those tapped was former State Sen. Michael Balboni. Balboni, a former New York homeland security chief and an East Williston Republican, will serve with U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) on the public safety committee.

Other L.I. transition team members include Robert B. Catell, chairman of the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center at Stony Brook University; Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment and State Assemb. Philip Ramos (D-Central Islip).

Cuomo announced the team in a statement; it said the new governor sought to fill his environment, public safety and human services transition committees with "a diverse group of government, private sector, and policy leaders." Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto added the team includes "a strong Long Island contingent."

Esposito, who will sit on the environment committee, said she will be a voice for environmental and public health protection. She said she would have liked to have seen more civic activists on the transition team.

"We have to remember to keep the voice of the public in the decision-making process," Esposito said.

Attempts to reach Ramos and Catell were not successful. Some other high profile transition team members: City Police Chief Ray Kelly and former U.S. Attorney Zachary Carter, who will serve on the public safety committee; City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who will serve on the human services and housing committees, and attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who will serve on the environment committee.

Cuomo announced members of his transition committee on economic development and labor last week. The group includes Republican Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano. Cuomo's transition committees will "recruit, review and recommend high-level leaders for top positions within the administration," the statement read.

LIers on the transition committees

Long Islanders on the transition committees:

Michael Balboni, former GOP state senator, former deputy secretary for public safety

Hazel Dukes, president of the NAACP's New York State chapter

Adrienne Esposito, executive director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment

U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford)

Kenneth Langone, The Home Depot founder and a vocal opponent of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer. , after a prosecution Spitzer brought while state attorney general challenging compensation Langone had helped set for the former head of the New York Stock Exchange.

Kevin Law, president of the

Long Island Association.

Edward Mangano, Republican, Nassau County executive

Assemb. Phil Ramos,

(D-Central Islip) New York State Assembly

Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), Senate Republican leader.

Frank Zarb, a prominent Republican who is a former chairman of Nasdaq, the first chairman of NIFA, and the first chairman of the Long Island Power Authority board.