MAYOR-ELECT SEAN RYAN ANNOUNCES FINANCE AND PARKING COMMISSIONERS
Appointments Submitted for Common Council Approval as Part of Budget and Charter Amendments
BUFFALO — Mayor-Elect Sean Ryan’s incoming administration today announced plans to appoint Jessica R. Brown, CPA as Commissioner of Administration, Finance Policy and Urban Affairs, and Justin Booth as Commissioner of Parking.
“Jessica Brown and Justin Booth bring the kind of experience and judgment we need as we work to build a better city government,” Ryan said. “They have a proven track record of collaborating to improve public systems and a clear understanding of Buffalo’s needs. They will join a growing team of commissioners committed to ensuring our city is well managed, responsive, and prepared to meet the challenges ahead.”
Brown previously served as Director of Administration & Finance for the City of Buffalo from 2019 to 2022 and currently serves as Comptroller of the Erie County Water Authority. In her current role, she oversees ECWA’s $120 million annual budget and supervises the Finance and Customer Service departments. She brings more than two decades of public- and private-sector accounting experience, including work in taxation, nonprofit, and government finance. Brown is a member of the New York State Government Finance Officers Association and is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Crisis Services. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University at Buffalo and a J.D., magna cum laude, from the University at Buffalo School of Law.
Booth brings more than 20 years of experience in transportation planning, infrastructure policy, and project delivery in Buffalo and across Western New York. He is the founder and Executive Director of GObike Buffalo, where he has worked closely with City departments, elected officials, and community stakeholders to advance street design, mobility, and public-space initiatives. During his tenure, Booth has helped secure and manage millions of dollars in public and private funding for transportation and infrastructure projects, including major trail and street improvements on Buffalo’s East Side.
Brown and Booth join five previously announced nominees to round out the seven commissioner appointments submitted today to the Common Council for approval as part of a budget amendment and charter amendment transmitted by Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon on behalf of the incoming Ryan administration. The Common Council is expected to vote on the amendments on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
The amendments also propose a reorganization of the City’s leadership structure aimed at improving accountability, streamlining operations, and ensuring City government is structured to operate more efficiently. The reorganization plan includes targeted adjustments to personnel and compensation, including the consolidation or elimination of certain positions, the creation of others, and updates to select senior-level salaries to help attract and retain experienced municipal leaders. After presenting a draft proposal to the Common Council’s Finance Committee earlier this week and incorporating feedback from Council members, the incoming administration put forward a revised plan that reduces the number of mayor-appointed positions by seven and results in a net annual savings of $86,642.