N.Y. Operations Director Expected To Resign

ALBANY — The New York State operations director, Paul Francis, is expected to resign today.

A state official, speaking on condition of anonymity because Mr. Francis had not publicly announced his plans, says Mr. Francis had agreed to stay until the end of the Legislative session after Governor Paterson took office.

Mr. Francis, of Westchester County, worked as former Governor Spitzer's budget director and senior adviser until January, when he took over as director of state operations, which he continued under Mr. Paterson.

A former PriceLine.com CFO, Mr. Francis previously worked as an executive vice president-finance and administration and chief financial officer of Ann Taylor Stores Corp. He also worked at Merrill Lynch & Co.

Mr. Paterson's spokeswoman, Risa Heller, wouldn't comment.