Adam Barsky tapped as new NIFA chairman

Noah Manskar

Adam Barsky, a finance executive who has worked under Republican and Democratic governments in New York, has been tapped to lead the Nassau Interim Finance Authority.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s appointment comes a month after Jon Kaiman, a Democrat, resigned as chairman of Nassau County’s financial control board to run for Congress.

“Adam Barsky brings a depth and diversity of experience that is second to none, and I am confident his expertise will help better serve the residents of Nassau County and all New Yorkers,” Cuomo said in a statement released March 2.

Barsky, reportedly an East Islip native and White Plains resident, oversees credit, market and operational risk for the Israel Discount Bank of New York as its executive vice president and chief risk officer.

He comes to NIFA after the seven-member board imposed quarterly reviews of the county budget in December to ensure the county is meeting revenue and expense projections.

Barsky could not be immediately reached for an interview Wednesday, but he told Newsday, “I am honored the governor gave me the opportunity to use my experience in a way that could benefit the taxpayers of Nassau County.”

Kaiman eased NIFA’s relationship with Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, ending a three-year wage freeze and approving new union contracts that required workers to contribute to their pensions and health-care plans.

In an email Wednesday, Kaiman said Barsky “sounds like an excellent choice” to lead NIFA, which has existed since 2000.

“He has a government and municipal finance background which will be extremely helpful in navigating the challenges ahead,” Kaiman said. “I wish him the best of luck, I am sure he will do a great job.”

Mangano said in a statement he looks forward to meeting and working with Barsky.

Barsky held several jobs in George Pataki’s gubernatorial administration, overseeing administration and capitol services for NIFA, the state Dormitory Authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Cuomo’s statement said.

Barsky’s last Long Island job was as the Town of Babylon’s comptroller and finance director from 1988 to 1993, according to his LinkedIn profile.

From 2000 to 2002, Barsky managed New York City’s operating budget of more than $40 billion as budget director and chief financial officer under then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. He was also the director of Giuliani’s operations office from 1998 to 2000.

Barsky has chaired the city’s Employees Retirement System and Transactional Finance Authority, and has worked as acting commissioner for its Department of Finance and chief financial officer of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

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