Gaming Commission

Sylvia B. Hamer

Sylvia B. Hamer is the Executive Director at the HOPE Community Services, which is a non-profit community organization, providing free services for persons experiencing homelessness, child hunger initiatives, a kosher pantry, community programming, and so much more.

In addition to her current position, Ms. Hamer possesses extensive governmental experience, including Chief of Staff to the Brooklyn Borough President. In 2011, then New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo appointed Hamer to serve as Chief Diversity Officer for the New York State Power Authority (NYPA). Also at the request of Governor Cuomo, Hamer was asked to serve as the agency's Equal Employment Officer (EEO). Prior to NYPA, Hamer was the Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs at the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations, she provided counsel and guidance on critical issues, including the corporation's Chapter 9 Bankruptcy proceeding, assisted in the development of a crisis management and restructuring plan, and was instrumental in proposing revisions to the statutory regime governing the racing industry.

In June 2008, Hamer was appointed by then New York State Governor David Paterson to the position of Deputy Secretary for Technology, Government Operations and Gaming. In February 2007, then New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer appointed Hamer to serve as Deputy Secretary for Government Operations, Labor and Technology. In these roles, she was a key advisor to the Governors and oversaw the budgets, programs, policies and legislative initiatives for 11 state agencies, boards and authorities. Hamer also served as the Executive Director for Administration for the New York State Office of the Attorney General, where she was responsible for developing and managing the agency's multi-million dollar annual budget. Sylvia also worked as a Budget and Research Analyst for the New York State Senate. Lastly, she served as a member of the New York State Franchise Oversight Board.

Ms. Hamer holds a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Science degrees from the College of New Rochelle.