Catapano-Fox holds on to the Merit Performance Award, alongside former boss, Justice Jeremy Weinstein. Photo Courtesy of Justice Weinstein’s Office
Tracy Catapano-Fox, life-long resident of Howard Beach has been named the Executive Director of the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB). She was chosen for the position after an exhaustive national search that began nearly a year ago, in September 2012.
The Board received more than 200 applications and held three rounds of interviews in consideration of the candidates.
Daniel D. Chu, Chairman of the CCRB said, “The Board and I are delighted… she [Catapano-Fox] will provide the guidance and leadership that will ensure the agency’s future success in carrying out its oversight mission.”
The CCRB is the largest civilian oversight agency in the country, and has investigated thousands of complaints, leading to discipline for hundreds of police officers. The CCRB maintains a commitment to its core mission—to thoroughly and impartially investigate all complaints.
Catapano-Fox leaves her position as the Chief Clerk in the Civil Term of the Queens County Supreme Court to assume her new responsibility as of Thursday, June 20.
In her former post at Queens Supreme, Catapano-Fox was the highest-ranking, non-judicial officer of the court and assisted the Administrative Judge in supervising the day-to-day operations of the court. Those who know the young mother of two, say her record and accomplishments in the handling of the courthouse is a reflective measure of how valuable her skills are and how sorely she will be missed. In administering to the court, she managed over 400 non-judicial employees and a $45 million budget.
Insiders say her appointment came on the basis of an outstanding application and was definitely enhanced by the presence of a stellar reputation. A wealth of experience in legal and social issues after graduating from Boston College Law School in 1997 include positions as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens, a senior litigation associate at a private firm, a court attorney and law clerk in the Queens Supreme Court.
She was recently presented with the Merit Performance Award, the Unified Court Systems highest award. On Law Day, May 1, Catapano-Fox traveled to Albany to receive the award for her work on residential foreclosures. She is considered an expert in the field and was instrumental in establishing the state’s first residential foreclosure settlement conference to achieve mortgage modifications and keep people in their homes. She was nominated for the award by the Administrative Judge for Civil matters, Justice Jeremy Weinstein.
Tracy makes her home in Howard Beach with husband Charlie Fox and their two sons, Ben and Ethan.
By Patricia Adams
