Brooks Taps Durso For Communications; Allkofer Announces Retirement, Staub To Parks

Thu, Aug 10 2006

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks today announced a series of staff changes led by the hiring of John R. Durso, Jr. to serve as Monroe County’s new Director of Communications and Records Access Officer. Durso will begin his new responsibilities, effective today.

“John Durso will be a great addition to my senior management team in County Government,” said Brooks. “John shares my belief that local government needs to be an on-going collaboration with our taxpayers... and that effective communication is essential to achieving that goal. His experience, enthusiasm, and inter-personal skills are tremendous assets that will be put to good use in his new position. I look forward to having John as a new voice at the table as we continue our work in charting Monroe County’s long term progress.”

Durso, 31, is a resident of Greece. A native of Long Island and a graduate of Siena College, Durso has been a veteran of New York State government and politics for the past decade.

Prior to joining the Brooks administration in June as her Special Communications Assistant, John most recently served as the Political Director of the New York Republican State Committee in Albany from November, 2004 through June, 2006. Durso had also served as Deputy Communications Director and traveling Press Secretary for 2004 United States Senate candidate Howard Mills, as the New York Republican State Committee’s Research and Political Education Director from 2001-2004, and as Deputy Research Director for Governor Pataki’s successful 1998 re-election campaign.

John also worked in Governor Pataki’s administration, serving as Public Information Officer for the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation in New York City, and as an Assistant in the Governor’s New York City press office. He began his career as a staff assistant to the late State Senator Norman J. Levy (R-Merrick).

Brooks also announced today that Monroe County Parks Director Frank X. Allkofer has announced his retirement as of October 17, 2006. Allkofer has served as Parks Director since December 2000. Brooks reappointed him to the post, after taking office in 2004. A Town of Gates resident, Allkofer served as Gates Parks and Recreation Director for 30 years, prior to joining Monroe County.

“Frank Allkofer has done a wonderful job as our Parks Director for the past six years, and I, along with everyone in County Government wish him the best in his retirement. Clearly, he will be a tough act to follow,” said Brooks.

Finally, the County Executive announced that Larry Staub is her choice to succeed Allkofer as Parks Director. As of today, Staub will begin a transition process and work directly with Allkofer until his retirement. Staub’s appointment as Parks Director requires confirmation by the Monroe County Legislature.

“I am confident that Larry Staub will do an outstanding job as our new Parks Director,” stated Brooks. “I have worked very closely with Larry throughout my service as an elected official in Monroe County, and his talent as a communicator, combined with his intimate knowledge of County Government and his passion for our parks, zoo and waterfront were all key factors that I considered in making this appointment. Bottom-line, Larry is a dedicated professional, an innovative administrator and he’s someone who I trust. I’m looking forward to working with him in his new role.”

Staub is a resident of the Town of Perinton, and a lifelong resident of Monroe County. He has enjoyed a professional career in government for nearly 20 years. Prior to his service as the County’s Director of Communications and Records Access Officer, which he began in April 2004, Staub worked for Brooks during her tenure as Monroe County Clerk. In 1998 he served as Assistant Deputy County Clerk and in 1999 Brooks appointed him to be the Deputy County Clerk. Upon Brooks’ swearing-in as County Executive in 2004, Staub assumed the role of Acting Monroe County Clerk until Cheryl Dinolfo was appointed by Governor Pataki, in April, to fill Brooks’ vacancy. Prior to joining Brooks in the County Clerk’s Office, Staub was State Senator Jim Alesi’s Chief of Staff from 1996 through 1997. From 1987 until Alesi’s special-election victory in February 1996, Staub worked in the Monroe County Legislature, finishing his service there as Chief of Staff for the Republican Majority.

Staub holds a Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany. He is the father of eight-year old twins, Larry III and Abigail.