Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick Announces Staff Promotions

ALBANY, NY - State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) announced promotions on his staff.

“As I wished the best of luck to two veteran staffers who are graduating to new positions, I took the opportunity to evaluate the strengths of our team,” Senator Reichlin-Melnick remarked. “I am fortunate to have a talented staff who have proven their abilities to take on new challenges in policy, communications, and constituent services. I’m excited that everyone is getting a chance to grow in their careers.”

Evan R. Menist, MPA is stepping into the role of Legislative Director. Evan serves a dual role as the senator’s Deputy Chief of Staff which has given him a hand in legislative work since the start. Menist brings the perspective of a local elected official with a background in public policy research. He is currently serving his second term on the City of Poughkeepsie’s Common Council where he is the Majority Leader.

Victoria Gearity steps into the role of Director of Communications, which is being vacated by Menist. During her tenure as Village of Ossining Mayor, Gearity gained notoriety for transforming the village’s communication practices and has extensive experience with local press and social media. She had been serving as the Senator’s Director of Constituent Services.

Nelcy García DeLeón, MSW is the new Director of Constituent Services, the position vacated by Gearity. For García DeLeón, who has her Master of Social Work from NYU, this position is an extension of her dedication to helping people. García DeLeón had served as the Senior Constituent Liaison and excelled in delivering efficient and effective solutions for constituents dealing with issues with state government agencies. 

Pascale Jean-Gilles, JD adds the title of Policy Advisor to her work currently as Director of Outreach. Jean-Gilles has her Juris Doctorate and previously worked as a law clerk for a New Jersey Criminal Court Judge, before returning home to her native Rockland County to serve in the NYS government on Assemblymember Ellen Jaffee’s team prior to joining Senator Reichlin-Melnick’s office last year. 

Marcello Figueroa who had served as the senator’s Legislative Director has taken a position with the Westchester County Board of Legislators. Brendan Cahill who served first as a District Representative and most recently as a Senior Assistant, is moving on to a position in the private sector.

Senator Reichlin-Melnick has one new hire preparing to begin next week, and has listed this job opening for a new District Representative.