News

September 14, 2022

Governor Hochul Appoints Restauranteur Dominick Purnomo to Albany Convention Center Authority Board

The Albany Convention Center Authority (ACCA) is pleased to announce that Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed local restauranteur, sommelier and philanthropist Dominick Purnomo to the ACCA board.

“Dominick and his family have been immersed in Albany’s downtown hospitality industry for many years,” said Michele Vennard, chair, ACCA. “We are grateful to have Dominick join the ACCA board and believe his experience will be an asset as we continue to drive economic development in downtown Albany.”

A hospitality industry advocate committed to making a positive impact for fellow restaurant owners and workers, Purnomo is the wine director and owner of Yono’s & dp An American Brasserie. He sits on the boards of the New York State Restaurant Association, The New York Wine & Grape Foundation, The Palace Performing Arts Center, and Feed Albany, a Capital Region nonprofit providing meals to those at risk and in need. Dominick cofounded Feed Albany and was the inaugural president of the charity.

Purnomo is also a member of the Society of Fellows at the Culinary Institute of America, the American Sommelier Association and the Chevalier du Tastevin, and is a founding board member of the Albany Food & Wine Festival and the founder of the Sommelier Society of Albany.

Along with many of his peers, Purnomo was instrumental in getting Congress to pass the RESTAURANTS Act, bringing much needed relief to restaurant owners and workers during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Dominick lobbied the state legislature to pass permanent to-go alcohol sales in restaurants across the state.

The Albany Capital Center is now in its fifth year of operation. With up to nine members, The ACCA board was established in 2004 to oversee the construction and continued operation of the $78 million Albany Capital Center.