On Sunday, May 6. Randy Daniels, 49, became the highest-ranking African-American in New York State office, once he was sworn in as the New Secretary of State. Secretary Daniels is only the second African-American to hold such a prestigious post in state history, and the first in nearly 20 years, since Basil Paterson, who served from 1979 to 1983.

The Secretary of State is a member of the Governor’s Cabinet who serves on a number of boards, commissions, and organizations. Traditionally the Secretary of State is the general recording officer of the state and custodian of the Great seal of New York.

From 1995 to 1999,Secretary Daniels has served under Governor Pataki, as Senior Vice President and Deputy Commissioner of Economic Revitalization at the Empire State Development Corporation. Secretary Daniels has an impressive and diverse background in many prominent fields extending from Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of the Bahamas to a journalism professor at both City College of New York and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

“Randy is one of our most distinguished and accomplished New Yorkers. He played a critical role in our economic comeback at Empire State Development, has demonstrated a passion for quality education and has proven his commitment to all New Yorkers by working successfully in the private sector to bring jobs and opportunities to inner-city communities.”- Governor Pataki