2. Thomas DiNapoli

Our homegrown hero proves nice guys don’t always finish last. As the No. 3 guy in New York State, he is truly a power player who leads by example, whether he knows it or not. He may not have been the self-appointed steamrolling governor’s choice, but the Legislature this year gave the people of New York a man with impeccable integrity and ethics beyond reproach. One can only hope that DiNapoli, who has been active in politics since he was a teenager when he won a trustee seat with the Mineola Board of Education, will bring to this office the human touch that he has been showering around the state since he began his career in public service. And with at least $150 billion to invest, he’s the man to know. If you don’t think he is a powerful leader, just look at the signature on the bottom right-hand corner of your state tax refund check.