Empire State Pride Agenda announces new executive director

The Empire State Pride Agenda announced on Saturday, May 22, it had chosen a long-time staffer as its new executive director.

The Pride Agenda's board of directors unanimously voted to appoint Ross Levi to succeed Alan Van Capelle, who resigned earlier this year to work for City Comptroller John Liu. Levi, who had served as ESPA's Director of Public Policy and Education, has been with the organization for more than a decade.

"During our search, Ross was identified as the strongest candidate for the position because of his long history of service to the organization, vast knowledge of state government and strong connection the statewide LGBT community," said Frank Selvaggi and Mitch Karsch, co-chair of the Pride Agenda's board of directors, in a statement that announced Levi's appointment. "The Board feels strongly that Ross is the right leader for us. He has brought and will continue to bring to the Pride Agenda the energy and political skills we need to win equality."

Levi's appointment comes a little more than a week after the New York Times, reported the organization had tapped Brian Ellner, a senior aide to Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, to succeed Van Capelle. Some LGBT activists had threatened to sever ties with the Pride Agenda if it appointed Ellner, but he abruptly withdrew his name from contention late Friday, May 21, as EDGE reported.

For his part, Levi expressed confidence in ESPA and its ability to advocate on behalf of LGBT New Yorkers.

"I believe no organization is better suited to help build and galvanize the movement for LGBT equality and justice than the Empire State Pride Agenda," he said.