Diana Jones Ritter, commissioner of the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, has resigned her post, multiple sources confirm.

Ritter is departing to take a job as the managing director of the Metropolitan Transit Authority. She was appointed to her state post by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer in January 2007 at the same time Health Commissioner Richard Daines was tapped for the job he still holds.

Prior to her elevation to the commissioner’s job, Ritter served three years as an associate commissioner at OMRDD, two years as executive deputy director in DOH’s Office of Public Health and 10 years in senior leadership positions in the state comptroller’s office.

Considering that Paterson only has just over seven months remaining in his tenure as governor, it’s a safe bet that we’re going to see an increase in resignations after the budget is finally settled as people look to jump ship prior to the start of the new administration.

Share|