News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 19, 2023

COMMISSIONER MOLINA NAMES CHARLES DANIELS AS SENIOR DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, PATRICK BENN AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF FACILITIES AND FLEET ADMINISTRATION, MALA SRINIVASAN AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF BUDGET AND FINANCE, AND SIMONE G. SMITH AS AGENCY CHIEF CONTRACTING OFFICER

Daniels is a veteran corrections professional tapped to head all the department’s facilities and field commands.

Benn is a longtime construction and facilities management professional who will be responsible for the department’s facilities maintenance and repair, capital projects/construction and fleet management.

Srinivasan is an accomplished budget director who will lead several business units critical to management and planning.

Smith is an experienced procurement professional who will be responsible for overseeing all agency-wide contracting activities.

New York City Department of Correction Commissioner Louis A. Molina today announced the appointments of four skilled professionals to his leadership team. Charles Daniels has been appointed Senior Deputy Commissioner, Patrick Benn has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of Facilities and Fleet Administration, Mala Srinivasan has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of Budget and Finance, and Simone G. Smith has been appointed Agency Chief Contracting Officer (ACCO).

“The New York City Department of Correction has made significant progress towards reform, and we have enlisted these distinguished leaders to support us in our mission,” said DOC Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “Their expertise in the fields of law enforcement, operations, and finance will be essential as we continue to improve conditions within our jails for those in our care and the Bold members who serve.”

“I look forward to working with Commissioner Molina and the proud men and women of the New York City Department of Correction,” said Senior Deputy Commissioner Charles Daniels. “Improving public, staff and detainee safety are paramount as we prepare individuals for their eventual release back into society. I join New York’s Boldest in pursuit of the agency’s mission and vision to transform lives and improve the communities we serve.”

“I am thrilled to be appointed Deputy Commissioner under this administration and its leadership under Commissioner Molina,” said Deputy Commissioner Patrick Benn. “I will use my experience in facilities management and construction to improve our facilities for the betterment of our staff and those in our custody, and to ensure the best practices and results for our department.”

“I am excited to join DOC under Commissioner Molina’s leadership,” said Deputy Commissioner Mala Srinivasan. “I hope to use my wealth of experience working for the City of New York to make DOC more fiscally transparent and efficient.”

“I am pleased to join DOC under Commissioner Louis A. Molina’s leadership,” said Chief Contracting Officer Simone G. Smith. “I will use my extensive experience in contracting and procurement to advance the department’s mission”.

Senior Deputy Commissioner Charles Daniels

SDC Daniels will serve as the principal advisor to Commissioner Molina providing input on matters related to correctional and institutional policy. He will be responsible for managing and guiding the Deputy Commissioner of Security, the Deputy Commissioner of Classification, Population Management and Facility Operations, and the Deputy Commissioner of Administration, and their respective divisions.

Daniels most recently served as a director of the Nevada Department of Correction where he led the agency’s day to day operations for all correctional institutions and administrative facilities. Daniels also coordinated the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic where he implemented a pandemic mitigation protocol to reduce transmission of the virus. He previously served as the Deputy Commissioner for Operations at the Alabama Department of Correction. While at Alabama, he implemented an agency violence reduction plan.

Deputy Commissioner Patrick Benn

In his role, Deputy Commissioner Benn oversees a diverse team in facilities maintenance and repair, capital projects/construction, and fleet management. He is responsible for developing and executing a framework to manage and schedule resources and staff in all DOC jail and non-jail facilities. Benn will ensure facilities meet the operational priorities and standards of jail facilities in compliance with regulatory standards and aligned with best practices.

Prior to joining DOC, Mr. Benn was the Director of Engineering and Construction at the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) where he directed, coordinated, evaluated, investigated, and recommended plans and changes in various construction and renovation activities. Prior to HHC, he was the Director of Facilities at SODEXO where he was responsible for budgets, staffing, short and long-term planning, program development, policy, and procedures for all facilities.

DC Benn studied facilities engineering and business at SUNY Maritime College. He is a licensed NYC Engineer and a member of several engineering associations including HSENY and ASHRAE.

Deputy Commissioner Mala Srinivasan

Srinivasan was appointed to lead several critical business units covering budget management and planning, expense budgets, capital budgets, financial services, and procurement. She will be responsible for preparing and managing various agency budget testimonies and briefing materials for public hearings with the New York City Council, NYC Board of Correction, New York State Commission of Correction, and all other oversight agencies. As Deputy Commissioner, she will report directly to the Chief of Staff and provide direction and technical guidance for the budget preparation process and ongoing fiscal activities to senior leadership.

Prior to joining DOC, Ms. Srinivasan served as the Executive Director of Budget Operations at the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS). Before joining DSS, Ms. Srinivasan was the Director of the Office of Budget Administration at HRA and a Budget Analyst for the New York City Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Srinivasan graduated from Baruch College with a master’s degree in business administration.

Chief Contracting Officer Simone G. Smith

Smith was appointed as Agency Chief Contracting Officer (ACCO) at DOC. As ACCO, she will manage the department’s Central Office of Procurement (COP); oversee, plan, manage, and coordinate complex procurements from initiation to completion, including support for defining project scope; and in collaboration with subject matter experts, develop, write, edit, and revise solicitation documents.

Prior to her appointment, Smith was Deputy Agency Chief Contracting Officer at NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Smith spent 7½ years at DOHMH and at various times during her tenure there oversaw small purchases, special projects, competitive solicitations, and MWBE. She also oversaw the Bid Contracts Unit at Department of Design & Construction.

Smith holds a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College, and a Bachelor of Arts from the New School for Social Research.

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The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment while providing individuals in our care with a path to successfully re-enter their communities.