ALBANY, N.Y. -- Joe Bruno was senator. He was Senate majority leader. But at CMA Consulting Services, he's considered something else.
"Gainfully employed," said Bruno. "I'm going to be handling the day to day operations, marketing, strategic planning, going forward. Right after I announced I was getting out as leader, I got a number of calls that day and the day after. Kay Stafford was one of those."
Stafford, the chair of the board of the Latham company, is an old friend of Bruno's and the wife of former Senator Ron Stafford. Her company has benefited from state contracts in recent years, reportedly $95 million worth.
Former Senator Joe Bruno has officially rode into the sunset. Bruno has already started a new gig with the Latham-based company, CMA Consulting Services. Britt Godshalk has the story of his steps into the private sector.
"Some of the bigger accounts here are the Comptroller's offices and the Attorney General's office and others," said Bruno.
But Bruno didn't find it necessary to approach the state's Commission of Public Integrity before accepting the job.
"I'm satisfied that there are no conflicts, past, present or in the future," said Bruno.
He said his interest will be building the company's business in the private sector.
"CMA has a number of contracts here. In fact, I think they do more business in Texas than they do here," said Bruno. "Which I would like to correct."
The former public servant said money wasn't his motivation to go to CMA. That said, he's bound to have a few more dollars to bet on the horses this season.
"I am looking at any possibilities there for any tips," said Bruno.
And while his career in the private sector seems to have taken off, he doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
"I can do almost anything I wanna do right here," said Bruno.