Executive Team

Budget Director Blake G. Washington

Blake G. Washington is the Budget Director for the State of New York, appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul. Mr. Washington is responsible for the development and management of the New York State budget and leads a team of public servants to administer the fiscal duties of the state, including economic and revenue forecasting, tax policy, fiscal planning, capital financing and management of the State’s debt portfolio.

Mr. Washington was previously employed by the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee for over 20 years, culminating with his service as Secretary to the Committee from 2015 through 2023. In that role, Mr. Washington advised the Assembly Speaker and the Assembly Majority on all budget and fiscal matters and served as the Assembly’s lead negotiator on the New York State budget. He began his career in public service as a probation officer in Sullivan County, New York.

Mr. Washington earned both his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from University at Albany. He lives in the Capital Region with his wife and daughter.

Deputy Director Matthew A. Howard

Matthew A. Howard serves as the Deputy Budget Director. In this capacity, Matt directs the activities of the Division’s units responsible for the development, negotiation, enactment, coordination, and monitoring of all state agency and authority budgets.

His career in public service spans over 26 years and includes leadership roles in fiscal management, public policy, and public administration. Matt began his career with the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee, rising from an entry level budget analyst to serving as the Assembly Ways and Means Committee Secretary from 2011-2015. In this role he worked as a chief budget negotiator for the Assembly during its negotiations with the Office of the Governor and New York State Senate. Most recently, Matt served as Chief Financial Officer of the New York State Thruway Authority where he was responsible for the development and administration of the annual budget and financial plan to support the mission and goals of the Authority and all its departments, as well as serving as its principal budget and financial officer. Matt received a master’s degree in public administration from Cornell University and an undergraduate degree from Springfield College.

General Counsel Amy R. Ottaviano, Esq.

Amy R. Ottaviano, Esq. is General Counsel to the Division of the Budget, a position she has held since 2017. As General Counsel, Amy is responsible for providing legal advice to the Division on all matters of law impacted by the Budget from state finance law to constitutional law, education law to public health law, public officers law to public authorities law, state technology law to economic development law, and everything in between. In this capacity, Amy also oversees the Division’s litigation, Freedom of Information Law, ethics, and records retention portfolios.

Amy has worked for the Division for nearly 16 years. She began her career with the Division as a graduate student intern on the General State Charges and Legislative Affairs teams between 2007 and 2010, was a Budget Examiner on the Labor Relations team from 2010-2012, and served as Assistant Counsel to the Division from 2012-2017.

Amy earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Syracuse University and her juris doctor from Albany Law School. Amy has been admitted to practice law in NYS since January 2011.

Director of Communications/Press Officer Tim Ruffinen

Tim Ruffinen serves as Communication Director and Press Officer. As head of the communications team, Tim is responsible for overseeing the Division’s strategic communications efforts to support the public’s understanding of often complex or nuanced budget and policy initiatives. Through Tim’s leadership, the communications team is responsible for producing DOB’s annual budget publications, creative marketing initiatives and brand-building across various social media platforms. In his role as Press Officer, Tim serves as the Division’s primary spokesperson, producing press statements, releases, and responses.

Tim has extensive experience in public and private sector communications. Prior to joining DOB, Tim was Deputy Communications Director in the New York State Executive Chamber where he managed communications for nearly a dozen State agencies, while also serving a key role in the planning and production of press events, including daily briefings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tim has also served as the Director for Public Information at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Prior to State service, Tim spent nearly two decades in television news holding various leadership positions, producing Emmy-nominated coverage.

Tim graduated with a BS in Communications from SUNY Oswego.