Cockfield leaves Lower Manhattan for Albany

Errol Cockfield, previously the Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs for the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, is headed to Albany. Senate Majority Conference Leader John Sampson tapped Cockfield for the role of Communications Director.

In his new position, Cockfield will manage communications efforts for Senator Sampson as well as for the broader Democratic coalition.

“I’m very humbled and excited that Senator Sampson saw fit to tap me for this important role,” Cockfield told the New York Amsterdam News this week.

Before working in government, Cockfield worked as a journalist, including in Albany for Newsday.

During his tenure at the L.M.D.C., Cockfield, 36, was responsible for the organization’s media and communications efforts, and also served as a liaison to community groups and government officials. Before that, he was the chief spokesman for Governor David Paterson and former Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Cockfield and Senator Sampson share a common heritage. Cockfield was born in Guyana and immigrated to the United States at age 10. Senator Sampson was born in Brooklyn to American and Guyanese parents. Senator Sampson represents New York’s 19th District, which covers most of Eastern Brooklyn.

— Andrea Riquier