Governor George E. Pataki has designated Long Island attorney and former Assemblywoman Donna Ferrara (15th A.D.) to serve as chairwoman of the New York State Workers' Compensation Board. Ferrara also served as the ranking member of the New York State Assembly's Insurance Committee, from which she brings a wealth of knowledge of the insurance industry. She has been a member of the Workers' Compensation Board for the past year. Workers' Compensation Board members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the New York State Senate.

"Donna Ferrara's extensive experience as a long-serving member of the New York State Assembly; as an attorney in public and private practice; and as the ranking member of the Assembly's Insurance Committee makes her exceptionally qualified to lead the Workers' Compensation Board," Pataki said. "Donna understands this vital system and has firsthand knowledge of both the insurance industry and the law. I am confident that her leadership will add to the successes experienced at the Workers' Compensation Board over the past 11 years."

Ferrara said, "I am honored by Governor Pataki's faith in my ability to lead the Workers' Compensation Board and I enthusiastically accept the challenges that will come with the position. New Yorkers have been very ably served by the Workers' Compensation Board for more than a decade and I intend to continue the Governor's sound policies of success that have transformed this agency into a state-of-the-art service provider."

Ferrara is a graduate of St. John's University School of Law. She received her BA as a Dean's List student at the State University of New York at Albany. Ferrara is admitted to practice law in New York State.

The governor designates a board commissioner as chairperson who serves as the administrative head of the board, presiding at monthly meetings of the board, and enforcing the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Law. The statutory salary for chair of the Workers' Compensation Board is $120,800 annually.