County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced last week that Mark C. Fang, a lawyer who has worked in the public and private sectors, has been appointed executive director of the Human Rights Commission. He will begin May 28.      

 Astorino had recommended Fang's selection, based on his vast experience as a litigator and an advocate, including work in the Army Reserves as an equal opportunity officer. This choice was unanimously endorsed by the members of the Human Rights Commission at its meeting in April.

"Mark's experience, temperament and long-time commitment to equality make him an ideal choice to lead the Human Rights Commission," said Astorino. "I know he will work conscientiously to uphold the important values that our community cares so much about."

The Westchester County Human Rights Commission works to eliminate discrimination and promote equality by advocacy, educational programs and, when necessary, legal measures. The county's Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination based on a wide variety of reasons that includes race, color, religion, ethnicity, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

"Discrimination to me is to a significant measure about dignity, which every human being is entitled to," Fang said. "I hope to build upon the outstanding work of the commission to make sure it continues to be a credible alternative for the inquiry, adjudication and resolution of discrimination claims in this county."

A practicing attorney for 17 years, Fang was an assistant attorney general in Criminal Division of the New York State Attorney General's Office. He has also served as an assistant district attorney in the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, the first Asian American to be appointed to that position in Westchester County.

Fang is presently a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer with the rank of major in the U.S. Army Reserves. While with the reserves, Fang served as his unit's equal opportunity advisor, in which he helped investigate, resolve and address equal opportunity complaints brought by soldiers. He also trained soldiers on the Army's Equal Opportunity Program. Fang is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, having been called to active duty and serving with the Army's 10th Mountain Division based in Ft. Drum, New York, from 2004 to 2005.

Jerold Ruderman, chairman of the Human Rights Commission, said that Fang's appointment was unanimous with good reason. "Having worked in the private and public sectors where he handled large volumes of litigation, particularly in the area of equal opportunity, Mark is uniquely qualified to serve as executive director of the Human Rights Commission," Ruderman said.

Fang is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Tufts University and received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He has been in the private practice of law since 2000, where he has concentrated on litigation, in both criminal and civil matters. He is a former board member of the Westchester Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans. Fang is originally from Yorktown Heights and is a graduate of Yorktown High School.

The position had been vacant since Delores Brathwaite resigned to become a Greenburgh town judge. Jerrice Duckette Epps, the deputy director of the commission, has been running the office since Brathwaite resigned and will continue in her position as deputy with Fang's arrival.

"I want to thank Jerrice for keeping the Human Rights Commission running smoothly and look forward to having our full team in place," Astorino said.

Photo: (l-r) : Deputy Director Jerrice Duckette Epps, County Executive Robert P. Astorino, Director Mark Fang and Jerold Ruderman, chairman of the Human Rights Commission.