Borough President-elect Vito Fossella announces members of his transition team

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Borough President-elect Vito Fossella has announced the members of his transition team, which will help prepare him to take office on Jan. 1.

On Election Day, Fossella secured a convincing victory over Democratic candidate Mark Murphy and Conservative candidate Leticia Remauro, garnering 59.1% of the vote across the borough, according to New York City Board of Elections data.

Fossella, who previously represented Staten Island in both the City Council and the House of Representatives, has now assembled a transition team with members from both the private and public sectors to help prepare him to assume the role of borough president.

“Small businesses, parents, teachers and students are frustrated and desperate for a government that will put their needs first,” Fossella said. “I am pleased and honored that these individuals, who bring the perspective of the private sector, have agreed to serve on my transition team.”

The team will be led by Lou Tobacco, the former state assemblyman who currently serves as president of Monsignor Farrell High School.

Linda Baran, the president and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, will join the team, bringing a great deal of expertise regarding the borough’s small business community.

Mark Cannizzaro, president of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, will help brief Fossella on the issues impacting Staten Island’s schools.

Public health issues will be handled by Dr. Ram Raju, former president of city Health and Hospitals Corp. and senior vice president of Northwell Health.

John C. Santora, vice chairman and president of the Tri-State Region for Cushman & Wakefield, will handle real estate and development.

Additional members of Fossella’s transition team include William Beale, a retired NYPD sergeant; Joe O’Toole, owner and proprietor of Joyce’s Tavern; and Sia Sipp, former executive assistant to Fossella during his time in Congress.

“With the help of this talented and committed group of Staten Island leaders, on day one, we will be in position to hit the ground running on a host of issues ranging from public safety, to health care and COVID to jobs and the economy. Their depth of private sector experience and knowledge will help me enormously as I lay the groundwork for my administration,” Fossella said.

“The transition team will work closely with me and Borough President James Oddo and his staff to facilitate a smooth collaborative transition from one administration to another,” he added.