Armed Forces Leader from Haverstraw Named Ed Day’s Future Chief of Staff

BY MICHAEL RICONDA

New City – County Executive elect Ed Day formally announced Army Lieutenant Colonel Guillermo Rosa as his future Chief of Staff on Monday.

Rosa said he accepted the offer to work in Day’s administration because he has seen and felt the financial and political changes occurring in the county and was inspired by Day’s campaign platform.

“I’m very, very excited to be here and I’m very excited to be given the opportunity to serve in Ed’s team going forward,” Rosa said.

Rosa, a Garnerville resident with 25 years of military and administrative experience, previously served as a military advisor to U.S. cabinet members and senior military leaders with the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and as the chief of plans for Civil Affairs in Iraq.

In Iraq, Rosa was involved in articulating and negotiating policy with Iraqi leadership, building partnerships between military and civilian parties, logistics and work with human resources and personnel. Rosa’s other assignments included work in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Haiti, Libya and Syria.

For his work, Rosa received a Bronze Star and Iraq Campaign medal, among other distinguishments. According to Day, the challenges of working as a bridge-builder in a warzone would translate well to the bridge-building required in Rockland’s political landscape.

“Guillermo has worked under the most difficult circumstances imaginable,” Day explained. “His skills as an advisor and his ability to spearhead projects and build partnerships are trusted at the highest level of our military and our diplomatic corps and clearly will bring tangible results here in Rockland.”

Having served eight years as developmental director for disabilities for St. Dominic’s Home in Blauvelt, Rosa also has experience in administration outside of a military setting. Before his work, he earned a degree in political science at the University of Puerto Rico and a Masters of Administration from Marist College.

Though most of Rosa’s goals are developing as Day’s administration prepares for the transition, he did explain one of his first goals would be to enhance transparency by aiding in the selection of a Director of Communications, who is likely to be chosen by the end of the year.

“My door is open,” Rosa said. “Transparency will be a priority in this administration.”

Rosa will also use his experience with disability care administration to enhance the county’s mental health services, particularly by exploring the expansion of treatment as an alternative to incarceration.