In 1992, RoAnn was elected to represent the 116th New York State Assembly district. During her time in the Assembly, she worked to advance and strengthen the state’s procurement practices, opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses, and support for military families. Beginning in 2001, she served as chairwoman of the Assembly Standing Committee on Governmental Operations, which provides legislative and budget oversight.
In 2011, she was unanimously confirmed by the New York State Senate as commissioner of the Office of General Services, the first woman to serve in that position. At OGS, she led transformational changes to make government more effective. She played an integral role in the administration’s efforts to bolster New York’s economic development initiatives and provide increased opportunities for companies, including MWBEs and preferred sources, to do business with the state.
She was a member of the Governor’s Financial Restructuring Board for Local Governments, Raise the Age Implementation Task Force, State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, the New York State Pay Equity Study Panel, the New York State Women’s Suffrage Commission, the Sauquoit Creek Floodplain Restoration project in Oneida County, and the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative Multi-Agency Task Force.
Destito retired in 2021 after 40 years in state service and joined RPEA. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Relations from LeMoyne College.