As expected, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has recommended Gil Quiniones to become president and CEO of the New York Power Authority and has named Leecia Eve to become deputy secretary of economic development, appointments that appear aimed at bolstering the governor’s standing in the black and Latino communities.

Eve replaces Patrick Foye, who was nomniated by Cuomo earlier this month to become the new executive director of the Port Authority.

“Economic development and creating jobs have been my number one priority since I took office, and Leecia is the perfect candidate to continue putting New York back on the path to prosperity,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Her extensive credentials and years of public service make her especially suited for this position. Together with the ESD team, I am certain Leecia will play a major role in creating jobs and growing our state’s economy. This is a critical time for New York, and I look forward to working with Leecia.”

Eve, a Buffalo native and daughter of former Assemblyman Arthur Eve, was a favorite of black politicians and officials to be Eliot Spitzer’s running mate in 2006, a move that would have given the Democratic ticket both regional and racial balance. Rather, Spitzer opted only for the latter and picked then-Senate Minority Leader David Paterson of Harlem. She was also named a possible replacement for Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate, but that job went to Kirsten Gillibrand.

Quiniones, who holds the top post at NYPA in an “acting” capacity, previously worked as the authority’s COO.

“He is a dedicated public servant who knows every aspect of the Power Authority- from the power lines to the extraordinary potential to harness New York’s energy resources to support economic development and job creation. In addition, Gil will ensure that NYPA continues to forge a path towards making our state more energy efficient,” Cuomo said.

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