The other surprise appointment

Missed in the hoopla recently between Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s selection of Cathleen Black as his new schools chancellor and another successful Veteran’s Day parade was the announcement of Terrance Holliday as the new Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs (MOVA).
In making the announcement at his annual Veteran’s Day breakfast at Gracie Mansion, Bloomberg, like his left-field school chancellor pick, surprised everyone in attendance and immediately set off a discussion: Who is Terrance Holliday? Where did he come from? Does anybody know him?
With the exception of quietly posting the position in early August and including two of his own staff members, this search appears to have been carried out under the radar of the veteran’s community.
A number of qualified people applied for the position – individuals who not only had the qualifications and drive to succeed, but more importantly could have possibly changed the direction MOVA has been going for the past eight years.
However, like the Black appointment, there is little evidence that anyone was vetted or considered and no known candidates were called or brought in for an interview. So while some may argue that at least there was a public search, the truth is that the process was superficial at best.

Joe Bello served 11 years in the U.S. Navy/Naval Reserve and is a veteran’s advocate in New York City. He was one of several candidates who also applied for the Commissioner’s position.