Governor Kathy Hochul has nominated Terry O’Leary as Acting Commissioner of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and Doris B. González as Acting President of the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). Both appointments are pending confirmation by the State Senate.
“These dedicated individuals have consistently demonstrated what it means to be a public servant, working to deliver for hardworking New Yorkers day in and day out,” Governor Hochul said. “Mr. O’Leary and Ms. González have made countless contributions to their sectors, and I am confident that they will continue to lead with the interest of all New Yorkers at the forefront.”
Terry O’Leary has served as Executive Deputy Commissioner at DHSES for ten years, managing daily operations and helping coordinate responses to major events such as Tropical Storms Isaias, Ida, Fred, Debby, flooding on Lake Ontario, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also involved in launching programs including the Cyber Incident Response Team and Domestic Terrorism Prevention Unit, as well as new grant initiatives like the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure Grant and over $100 million in capital grants aimed at improving county emergency response systems.
Previously, O’Leary worked as Deputy Secretary for Public Safety in the New York State Executive Chamber overseeing agencies such as DHSES, State Police, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, among others. His earlier roles include Director of the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement at the Department of Health—where he implemented New York’s medical marijuana program—and Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan focused on narcotics investigations.
“I thank Governor Hochul for the honor of leading this incredible team of public servants who have dedicated themselves to protecting the safety of New Yorkers. Since taking office, the Governor has placed a clear focus on strengthening our state’s public safety and emergency management postures and I am honored that she has asked me to lead the Division in carrying this vision forward,” said Terry O’Leary.
Doris B. González joined HESC as Executive Vice President in August 2023 before her nomination as Acting President. She oversees administration of more than $1 billion annually across over 30 grants and scholarship programs supporting nearly 300,000 students each year—including one of the largest needs-based college aid programs nationally.
Before joining HESC, González led delivery management at Kyndryl Holdings Inc., where she developed a career pathways program for employee development through job rotation and mentorships. Her experience includes 25 years in corporate philanthropy at IBM Corporation along with leadership roles at organizations such as NYC Board of Education and Metropolitan Transportation Authority. She is also active with nonprofit boards including Harlem Gallery of Science.
“Education has been the foundation of my life and career, shaping my values and guiding my work. Serving New York’s students and families in this role is both an honor and a continuation of my lifelong commitment to expanding access to education. From my earliest roles, I have been driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of learning. I am incredibly proud of the work we do at HESC to empower New Yorkers with the financial resources they need to pursue higher education and turn their aspirations into reality,” said Doris B. González.