Counties Elect Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel to the NYSAC Board of Directors

County leaders from across the state last week elected the Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. (PJ) Wendel, Jr. to serve on the Board of Directors of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC). The election was held as part of NYSAC’s annual meeting and Fall Seminar held in Oneida County.

“This is an honor for me and for Chautauqua County. County governments are at the forefront of many critical issues facing the state of New York and I am pleased to be able to help Chautauqua County and counties across the state in this role on the NYSAC Board of Directors,” said County Executive Wendel. “NYSAC is an influential association, and they work hard to represent the needs of all of our county leaders, from west to east and update to downstate. I look forward to bringing our needs to Albany and Washington.”

County Executive Wendel has more than 15 years in local government elected service, starting in 2007 when he was elected as a Trustee for the Village of Lakewood in 2007. He served the village for five years while serving his final two years as Deputy Mayor.

In 2012, PJ became a county legislator. During his eight years, he served on the Administrative Services Committee, Audit and Control Committee, and was a four-year chairman of the Public Safety Committee. He was elected Chairman of the Legislature in 2018 and 2019. He has served as county executive since 2020.

Organized in 1925, NYSAC is the only statewide municipal association representing the interests of all of New York State’s county leaders, including legislators, supervisors, county executives, administrators, commissioners, and other county officials from all 57 counties and the City of New York. Our mission is to foster excellence in county governance and unite the voice of county leaders.

NYSAC is a bipartisan organization and represents counties before federal and state officials and works to inform county officials through conferences, workshops, reports, and extensive communication. 

"We are honored to have County Executive Wendel on our Board of Directors. His leadership and communication skills will be a tremendous asset to the Association as we continue to address the critical issues facing counties across the state," said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario.  

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Media Contact: Mark LaVigne | MLavigne@nysac.org | 518-465-1473 x206