Governor Paterson's office appointed Joe Berko of Berko & Associates as a member of NYS Real Estate Board. The 15-member board consists of the secretary of state, the executive director of the consumer protection board, and 13 additional members. Five of the members are real estate brokers, each of whom, at the time of appointment has been engaged in the real estate business in NYS for a period of not less than ten years prior to appointment. The remaining members are "public members" not real estate licensees. "I am honored to serve on the State Real Estate Board and I am looking forward to serve the people of NYSewith dedication and distinction," said Berko. Berko is the founder and president of Berko & Associates, a commercial brokerage firm that specialize in sales, finance and advisory of investment properties. The board meets usually three times per year and at least one public hearing each year is held in N.Y.C. Buffalo and Albany. The purpose of these hearings is to solicit from members of the public, suggestions, comments, and observations about real estate practice in NYS.