Governor Cuomo Announces Appointment Of Brian Conybeare As Special Advisor For The Tappan Zee Bridge
Former News 12 Anchor Will Act As Liaison between The Hudson Valley Community, Local Businesses and Governor’s Office
NEW TORK, NY -- July 23, 2012 -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the appointment of Brian Conybeare to the position of Special Advisor for the Tappan Zee Bridge. Mr. Conybeare will serve as the liaison for the Governor to Hudson Valley residents and businesses. As such, he will be located in the Hudson Valley on full time basis conducting the day-to-day meetings with local community and business leaders, and working with Secretary to the Governor Larry Schwartz, who Governor Cuomo recently appointed to oversee the Tappan Zee Bridge project. Mr. Conybeare will play an important role in ensuring that the issues raised by residents involving the $5 billion project are heard and resolved.
"After more than ten years of gridlock surrounding the Tappan Zee Bridge project, we are moving forward to finally build a new, safer bridge for the Hudson Valley," said Governor Cuomo. "As we continue to make progress, Brian Conybeare will help connect my administration with residents and the business community. Mr. Conybeare has an extraordinary background in journalism and is familiar with the many facets of this complex project. In his role, he will help ensure that affected communities are provided the information they need and that concerns are properly addressed. Together, we will build a bridge that serves all of Hudson Valley."
Mr. Conybeare said, "I would like to thank Governor Cuomo for giving me the opportunity to participate in this significant project. The New Tappan Zee Bridge will be a testament to New York’s workforce and innovation under Governor Cuomo. I look forward to working with the Governor and his team to ensure that the new bridge is constructed through a transparent and inclusive process."
Prior to his appointment, Mr. Conybeare was an anchor for the News 12 Evening Edition. He was also a co-anchor on the weekly political talk show "Newsmakers" and hosts the station’s local election debates and live town meetings.
Mr. Conybeare is an award-winning reporter, most recently receiving a 2011 New York Emmy Award for his exclusive story on a parking ticket scam called "Rental Rip-off." In 2009, Brian won a national award from the Society of Professional Journalists. His ground-breaking reporting on corruption in the promotions department of the Yonkers Raceway Casino led directly to a criminal probe and three arrests. It also won him the highly respected Sigma Delta Chi Award from the SPJ. He has also been honored with two other New York Emmy Awards, five Edward R. Murrow Regional Awards, and five New York Associated Press Broadcast Awards.
Mr. Conybeare received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from New York University. He currently resides in Eastchester with his wife Janna and their four children.
After ten years of delay, the movement to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge is finally underway under the leadership of Governor Cuomo. The project will build a new bridge that will be safer, transit ready and, in the process, will create over 45,000 jobs. Representatives of the Governor’s office are presenting plans to local communities to receive feedback on the project. Mr. Conybeare’s appointment will help further the dialogue and feedback between the Governor, local business representatives and residents of the Hudson Valley community.
What a waste of money, we need him to do what?
Posted by: Lousy Democrats | July 23, 2012 at 18:38
He sucked as a newscaster.
Posted by: anon | July 23, 2012 at 20:27
why did he leave news 12 ?? was there some type of scandal?
Posted by: Mike E | July 23, 2012 at 21:25
and this is because he was such a good news reporter!
propaganda is powerful........
Posted by: here we go | July 24, 2012 at 02:21
I wish Babs would be offered a job like this. We are going broke waiting for donations for her award winning website.
Posted by: Peter Ricci | July 24, 2012 at 05:22
conneybear did a great job..very thorough very organized and he asked the questions rather than
answering them...a top journalist as can be seen from
his awards...working however at a local news station
is a 24/7 job..its exhausting and requires a lot more
time than most people realize....plus news 12 has a reputation for treating its employees not so well
in terms of salary bonuses etc....so brian probably
decided that it was time to leave so that he could
spend more quality time with his kids...he will not
be engaged in the press portion of the tappan zee
project but rather in community relations...that is
a totlaly different thing...
Posted by: anon | July 24, 2012 at 12:14
Ok EdelDICK, whatever you say.
Posted by: Philly Blunt | July 24, 2012 at 12:22
He was screwing Janine Rose.....and his wife said if you dont quit I want out... True story..
Posted by: WELFARE RULES | July 24, 2012 at 20:36
good luck when the project gets done 10 years from now ill be in california why they got freeways no humidity no tolls so lets just say breezy sunny days no weather to report remember the first part freeways when this boondoggle gets done you will be paying 20 a ride enjoy your bridge 5 billion suukeers lets count the jelly beans in the jar contest my guess 8.95 billion jelly beans adios .....freeways rule
Posted by: give me a handie | July 24, 2012 at 22:12
are you seriuos this guy is a clown how much is NYS paying this loser who couldnt get off high school news hahahahahahah
Posted by: what a dickweed | July 24, 2012 at 22:23
this guy is nothing more than a no talent hack, it's no secret that the networks refused to pick him up for years because he sucked and because he was as arrogant as jeanine rose
Posted by: what a hack | July 25, 2012 at 01:09
Cuomo, Gerry, connection got him this job. How do they find the money for all these people?
Between political jobs and IDAs' no wonder there is no money left.
According to newspapers you wont see in this area, almost a billion dollars is lost to education fron IDAs statewide.
Posted by: 3sidestotruth | July 25, 2012 at 08:02
Are you kidding me? Conybeare's Doubletree conference was the worst capitalistic-blatant-union-promoting-farce they could have ever dreamed up. Conybeare's questions were vague and far from hard-hitting journalism; he played dutifully and right into the politicians/admistrators game.
Cuomo just jockeyed an unassertive reporter into a positon to keep the press in his pocket. Cuomo is using the press to support the "stake-holder" engines of business/unions and soft-pedal/drown out real residential concerns.
A true special advisor would not have a conflict-in-interest (newspaper headlines/sales). A true special advisor for this project would have a strong background in construction-highway administration-architectural feasability.
This appointment is an insult at best and corrupt at worst.
Posted by: wiserforit | July 25, 2012 at 10:08
Conybeare is a smug prettyboy that could not graduate from that cable access channel. Larry Schwartz's management style will soon have this poser on xanax. He won't be there long.
Posted by: won't last. | July 26, 2012 at 07:57
at least now brian will have some time to play golf
Posted by: anon | July 26, 2012 at 17:49
I think he was Screwing Joe Rao..
Posted by: Philly Blunt | July 27, 2012 at 17:53