The Board is pleased to announce Anthony Tomaselli as its new Advocate for Business. Mr. Tomaselli joins us today and will lead the office that serves as the liaison between New York's business community and the Board, providing helpful assistance to employers on issues related to workers' compensation, disability benefits, and Paid Family Leave.

Mr. Tomaselli and his colleagues in the Advocate's office educate employers about coverage requirements, work with them to resolve issues, and more generally ensure the rights of the business community are given proper consideration with respect to the benefits and systems administered by the Board.

Mr. Tomaselli was most recently Assistant Director in the Division of Service-Disabled Veterans' Business Development at the New York State Office of General Services, where he helped build the successful NYS Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) program that empowers disabled veteran entrepreneurs in growing their small businesses by increasing their participation in New York State's contracting opportunities. He has also served at the Empire State Development Corporation, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, as a social studies teacher in the New Lebanon Central School District, and was a paratrooper in the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division.

"Anthony's experience with small employers and the business community overall, coupled with his background in teaching, make him a perfect fit for leading the Office of the Advocate for Business," said Chair Clarissa M. Rodriguez. "I am confident he will very capably assist and educate employers in navigating our system."