Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro to Swear-In Deputy Commissioner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Promote 24 FDNY Members

April 6, 2016

Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro will swear-in FDNY Deputy Commissioner of Governmental Affairs and Special Programs Laura Kavanagh and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO) Cecilia B. Loving, and promote 24 FDNY officers on Thursday, April 7 at 11 a.m. at Training Academy – Building 12, Randall’s Island. One Deputy Chief will be promoted to the rank of Deputy Assistant Chief, one Deputy Chief will be promoted to Division Chief, 4 Captains will be promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief and 18 Captains will be promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief.

Together, the newly promoted members represent 450 years of experience with the Department. They will be assigned to units throughout New York City. 

About Cecilia B. Loving:
Deputy Commissioner Loving will report directly to Commissioner Nigro and is responsible for ensuring all new recruitment and diversity strategic initiatives comply with Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and Law Department guidelines, serving as liaison to employee affinity and fraternal organizations. Prior to this appointment, Deputy Commissioner Loving served as the Director of FDNY’s General Law Unit.

Before joining the Fire Department, Loving served as Law Enforcement Bureau Attorney at the New York City Commissioner on Human Rights, investigating, resolving, and litigating employment discrimination, bias harassment, public accommodation and other claims arising under the New York City Human Rights Law by coordinating with the community relations bureau, other City agencies and the parties to the dispute. Previously, she served as an Administrative Law Judge for the New York City Office of Trials and Hearings, an arbitrator for various organizations, and as counsel for both firms and nonprofit organizations. Deputy Commissioner Loving is a graduate of New York University Law School, as well as holding a master’s of divinity from New York Theological Seminary, a master’s of fine arts from University of California – Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s in fine arts from Howard University.

About Laura Kavanagh:
Deputy Commissioner  Kavanagh reports directly to Commissioner Nigro and is responsible for FDNY’s relationships with City Hall, elected officials, and external stakeholders, managing the Department’s legislative portfolio, manages services for FDNY families in need and strategizes to advance FDNY initiatives. Prior to this appointment, Deputy Commissioner Kavanagh served as Assistant Commissioner of External Affairs for the Fire Department.

Before joining FDNY, Kavanagh served as a special assistant to Mayor Bill de Blasio after acting as Senior Advisor on his Mayoral campaign. Previously, she worked in management and campaign consulting with non-profits, community-based organizations and unions to advance their organizational goals. Deputy Commissioner Kavanagh is a graduate of Whittier College, with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations.

WHO: Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro; First Deputy Commissioner Robert R. Turner II; Chief of Department James E. Leonard; Chief of EMS James P. Booth; Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Cecilia B. Loving; Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanagh; union representatives and many other FDNY officials and their families. 

WHERE: FDNY Training Academy – Building 12, Randall’s Island

WHEN: Thursday, April 7 – 11 a.m.

PHOTO OP
 
CONTACT: FRANCIS X. GRIBBON & ELISHEVA ZAKHEIM (718)999-2056