Putnam County Executive Byrne Appoints New Chief of Staff

CARMEL, N.Y.— Dain Pascocello is taking over as County Executive Kevin Byrne's chief of staff, replacing longtime Byrne aide Matthew Covucci.

In a press release, Byrne's office said Pascocello's tenure began on Jan. 2.

In the press release, Byrne praised Covucci's work over the years, which included the county executive's earlier role as New York State Assemblyman as well as his tenure as county executive.

“Matt has been a trusted member of my team since I first entered public office in 2017,”  Byrne said. “Serving as my chief of staff during my time in the State Assembly and continuing in that role for the past two years here in the county executive’s office, Matt has been one of my most trusted advisors. He is more than a colleague—he is like family to me. His steady leadership and dedication to serving the people of Putnam County will be deeply missed, but we wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors.”

Before joining Byrne's administration, Pascocello served as chief of staff to State Senator Rob Rolison (whose district includes parts of Putnam County). He also served as chief of staff to Congressman John Faso and as Orange County's director of communications. Byrne said his mix of experience in local, state, and federal government will be an asset to the county.

“Dain Pascocello is a seasoned and respected professional with years of experience in government and communications,” said Byrne. “He has a proven track record of success and leadership, and his deep understanding of the issues facing our region will make him an invaluable addition to our team. I’m confident that he will help us build on the progress we’ve made in delivering results for Putnam County residents.”

Pascocello is a 2003 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned a BA in history. 

“I am honored to join County Executive Byrne’s team and look forward to serving the residents of Putnam County,” said Pascocello. “It’s an exciting time for our community, and I’m eager to contribute to the positive work being done under Kevin’s leadership.”