The Marino Organization, which claims to offer “street-smart communications, has added Ross Wallenstein to the line-up of the 20-year firm.

wallensteinWallenstein has worked in New York politics for the past dozen years, doing stints with former governors Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson and Democratic Congressman Gary Ackerman.

Frank Marino made the hire because Wallenstein’s experience and network of relationships will help the shop’s expanding practice focused on the “convergence of media relations, PA, community relations and business-to-business communications.”

Marino served as senior VP-PA & media relations at the New York Economic Development Commission during the time of the late New York City mayor Ed Koch.

TMO has represented Home Depot, New York Real Estate Board, Time Warner Center, Silvercup Studios, Colliers International, Morton’s Steakhouse and Con Edison, Downtown Brooklyn Partners and Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC.