More ex-public servants join Frank Carone’s Oaktree Solutions

Oaktree Solutions, the lobbying and public affairs firm founded by Mayor Eric Adams’ former chief of staff Frank Carone, is announcing two more notable hires. Ariel Palitz, former “nightlife mayor” under Adams and former Mayor Bill de Blasio, will be the firm’s managing director of hospitality and intergovernmental affairs. Onida Coward Mayers, a comms strategist with experience at MirRam Group and as head of the Voter Assistance Commission under former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, will be the firm’s chief government affairs officer. 

Carone’s firm has hired multiple ex-public servants including former city Department of Social Services Gary Jenkins in April and former Staten Island Rep. Max Rose in May. Former commissioner of the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Daniel Tietz joined the firm in July.

Carone served as chief of staff for Adams’ first year in office, launching Oaktree soon after leaving City Hall. A one-year ban on Carone appearing before City Hall as a private citizen after working there is set to expire soon, as Carone stepped down at the end of 2022.