Cuomo Drafts Communications Director From Attorney General’s Staff

Filling a key vacancy in his inner circle, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Friday named one of Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman’s top aides to serve as his new communications director.

The aide, Melissa DeRosa, is Mr. Schneiderman’s acting chief of staff. She will start her new position on April 1 and succeed Allison Gollust, who recently left the governor’s office after only a few months to reunite with her former boss, the television executive Jeffrey Zucker, at CNN.

Ms. DeRosa, 30, is well known in Albany. She first worked in politics as an intern for the political director of the New York State A.F.L.-C.I.O. when she was 16; before joining Mr. Schneiderman’s office in 2011 as deputy chief of staff, she was the New York State director for Organizing for America, a group formed by President Obama’s election campaign to build grass-roots support. She was also the director of communications and legislation for Cordo and Company, an Albany lobbying firm.

“I have known and respected Melissa for many years,” Mr. Cuomo said in a statement, “and believe her experience, character and intellect will be an invaluable asset as she leads our communications effort.”

In a memorandum to his staff, Mr. Schneiderman, who like Mr. Cuomo is a Democrat, described Ms. DeRosa as “a critical member of a talented team leading our office’s intergovernmental affairs, legislative agenda and communication efforts.” He said, “With her talent, insight and energy, Melissa will be missed.”

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De Blasio's Communications Director Leaves

A key aide to the city’s public advocate, Bill de Blasio, has left her position after only three months on the job.

Gabby Adler, who joined Mr. de Blasio’s staff in December as communications director, left on April 4 to join a “super PAC” in Washington that focuses on Democratic Congressional campaigns.

Ms. Adler’s new employer, House Majority PAC, is considered to be the primary super PAC aimed at aiding the electoral efforts of House Democrats. Its Twitter page describes its mission as “on the offensive against House Republicans’ extreme agenda.”

Mr. de Blasio is a highly vocal opponent of super PACs and Citizens United, the United States Supreme Court opinion that allowed for their creation. He has routinely appeared on national television and at events in Washington to protest the effects of the groups, which can raise and spend unlimited money on candidates’ behalf.

The public advocate was traveling in California with his family on Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

Ms. Adler, whose new position was reported on Thursday by Politico, wrote in an e-mail that the new job “was one I couldn’t pass up.”

“The decision was tough,” Ms. Adler wrote. “My career has primarily been focused on national politics and policy, and with so many Congressional races heating up across the country, I’m excited to put my efforts into winning the battle for a Democratic majority.”

Mr. de Blasio, who is widely expected to run for mayor next year, has one of the smaller staffs among citywide officials. His previous communications director, Matthew Wing, left late last year to join the staff of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Ms. Adler’s position remains unfilled for now.

The new assignment would be a return to familiar ground for Ms. Adler, who previously worked in communications and strategy for various Democratic Congressional campaigns and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She served as the Midwestern regional press secretary during the 2010 campaign for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. At House Majority PAC, Ms. Adler will coordinate strategy and operations on a number of House races.

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