FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, February 10, 2011

J. David Sampson of East Aurora has been appointed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo as Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. As Executive Deputy Commissioner, Sampson is responsible for managing the overall operation of DMV with direct supervision of the divisions of Operations and Customer Service; Safety, Consumer Protection and Clean Air; Administration; Legal Affairs; Integrity; Audit and Communications.

The Department of Motor Vehicles is one of the most active public service agencies in state government. With over 2400 employees statewide, the department registers and titles over 10 million motor vehicles per year and examines and licenses nearly 12 million drivers. It also administers the state's Vehicle and Traffic Law and promotes highway safety through a variety of public awareness campaigns that are done in partnership with the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. The DMV operates 27 motor vehicle licensing offices that serve more than 28 million customers each year. The agency is also responsible to license and inspect motor vehicle dealers, repair shops, inspection stations and driving schools.

Prior to his DMV appointment, Sampson served since 2008 in the New York Attorney General's office, most recently as Deputy Attorney General for the Division of Regional Affairs. In that position, Sampson was responsible for the management of all regional offices and a staff that included more than 90 attorneys statewide. Prior to joining the Attorney General's office, Sampson was in private practice for over 25 years. He was a partner with the law firm of Underberg Kessler LLP, where he was a member of their Litigation Department and also supervised their Buffalo office. Before joining Underberg Kessler, Sampson was a member of the litigation firm of Jasen, Jasen & Sampson P.C.

Mr. Sampson is a graduate of Canisius College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He also earned a Juris Doctor degree from Albany Law School of Union University. Mr. Sampson resides in East Aurora with his wife Carol Jasen Sampson. They have two children, Rachel and Matthew.