POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has announced several appointments and reappointments within her administration including Deputy County Executive, Commissioner of Human Resources and reappointment of Commissioner of Community & Family Services.
“I’m excited to announce dedicated and experienced County government leaders are stepping into new roles in our administration,” said County Executive Sue Serino. “Gregg Pulver brings invaluable insight and leadership into the role of Deputy County Executive. Rachel Kashimer’s expertise will be instrumental in guiding our workforce strategy as HR Commissioner. I’m also grateful that Sabrina Marzouka will continue her outstanding service as Commissioner of Community and Family Services; and we’re eager for Steve Rector to apply his deep knowledge to the statewide employment challenges facing social services as DCFS Deputy Commissioner. Together, their experience and dedication will help move Dutchess County forward and strengthen the services we provide to our neighbors.”
The County Executive has forwarded the appointment resolutions for the Deputy County Executive and the two Commissioner positions for review and approval by the Dutchess County Legislature at the December 8th board meeting.
County Executive Serino has tapped Gregg Pulver, a resident of Pine Plains, to serve as Deputy County Executive. Pulver currently serves as Assistant County Executive, a post he has held since January 2025. Pulver, a lifelong Dutchess County resident and experienced public servant and agricultural professional, brings extensive local and county government experience to the position, having previously served as County Legislator, including six years as Legislature Chairman. He also served as County Comptroller in 2024. His appointment will be effective December 9th, following confirmation by the Legislature.
Rachel Kashimer will serve as Commissioner of Human Resources. Kashimer, a resident of LaGrange, most recently served as Deputy County Executive, a position she was appointed to in 2023. She moved to the Department of Human Resources in August to transition to the Commissioner position. Kashimer originally joined Dutchess County Government in 2012 and has served in a variety of roles in the Executive and Budget offices, including Assistant County Executive – COVID operations. Her appointment will be effective January 3, 2026, following confirmation by the Legislature.
Sabrina Jaar Marzouka, a resident of Pleasant Valley, will be reappointed as Commissioner for the Department of Community & Family Services (DCFS) for a third five-year term. Marzouka has led DCFS since 2015, overseeing the County’s largest department, which provides a wide range of services and programming to thousands of individuals and families, such as protective services for children and adults, housing services, domestic violence prevention services, foster care and adoption, juvenile detention and justice services, child support enforcement, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), temporary assistance, employment programs, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aka food stamps, and Medicaid. Marzouka has served Dutchess County Government since 1997. Her reappointment will be immediately effective following confirmation by the Legislature.
Steven J. Rector, a resident of the Town of Poughkeepsie, will be appointed to serve as Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Community & Family Services, focused on administrative and human resources-related functions. Across New York State, social services districts are facing staffing challenges, including high numbers of vacancies and employee turnover. In this role, Rector will address these ongoing challenges in a complex and ever-changing regulatory environment. Rector, who has served as the Commissioner of Human Resources since 2013, will transition to this new role effective January 3, 2026. He has served in Dutchess County Government since 2012. His appointment does not require Legislative confirmation.
