Elissa is Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Neighborhood & Community Services (NCS), which aspires to provide friendly and easy access to the vital city services available to all residents regardless of where they live. NCS brings together the work of three important city functions including: Buildings & Regulatory Compliance, Planning & Development with the overarching function of supporting our City’s vital neighborhoods and residents through relationships with Neighborhood Specialists and responsive information provided by customer service professionals. Elissa has worked in Albany for over 30 years in governmental positions in government, the public sector and non-profits. Most recently, she served as Chief of Staff to NY State Assemblymember Patricia Fahy and before that was Director of Development with Albany Public Library when they planned and built five branch libraries. She’s lived in the Delaware Avenue neighborhood for 29 years and practices meditation when she can remember to sit still.