34 THE QUEENS COURIER • SALUTE • DECEMBER 26, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com salute to staff SALUTE to SERVICE: Alex Rosa and the BP’s staff 12 years of ‘triumph’ BY MELISSA CHAN [email protected] The right-hand woman to the last two Queens borough presidents is retiring after 30 years in Borough Hall. Alexandra Rosa, chief of staff to Borough Presidents Claire Shulman and Helen Marshall, will leave at year’s end. She plans to transition into the nonprofi t sector. “I feel that it’s time to move to the next stage of my life, and I’m happy to do that,” she said. “I’m grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to serve the borough of Queens.” Rosa, 59, helped Marshall develop strategies for investing more than $650 million in capital budget items over a decade. She also played a key role in strengthening the public library system and expanding the borough’s cultural centers. “So much of the borough has changed,” Rosa said. “We’ve gone through tremendous struggles. On the other hand, we’ve seen tremendous triumph.” The top aide said Queens, like the rest of the city, was rocked by 9/11, Superstorm Sandy, a recession and foreclosures. But the borough came out swinging, with more senior housing, the renaissance of downtown Jamaica and new economic potential unleashed “through the power of zoning,” Rosa said, pointing to newly approved developments in Willets Point and western Queens. On a smaller platform, the newly opened Children’s Library Discovery Center, a 14,000-square-foot handson science and technology-focused exhibit in Jamaica, was one of the most memorable for the outgoing aide. “It’s something I was able to participate in from its earliest stage of an idea to opening and seeing children engage in exploring the exhibits that were there,” Rosa said. “That was a real beginning-to-end experience.” Marshall is term-limited and will give up the seat she held since 2001 to Melinda Katz. Earlier this month, Katz tapped Councilmember Leroy Comrie to be her deputy borough president and Jay Bond, a former longtime aide, as chief of staff. Photos Courtesy Dominick Totino Photography Rosa said the new administration under Katz will take the borough to the next level and continue the path of progress. “I’m going to miss working for some really great people. We’ve done some tremendous things together,” Rosa said. “Life is about change, and this is a new phase that I’m embracing.” Outgoing Borough President Helen Marshall’s top team also included: • Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik • Counsel Hugh Weinberg • Press Offi cer Dan Andrews • Director of Economic Development Melva Miller • Director of Capital Budget Mark Scott • Director of Planning and Development Irving Poy • Director of Administration Carol Ricci • Special Assistant for Education Roseann Darche • Director of Culture and Tourism Terri Osborne • Director of Health and Human Services Paola Miceli
QC12262013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above