GENESEO, N.Y., July 17, 2024 — Following an impressive career spanning more than 22 years of dedicated service to the community, Livingston County’s Deputy County Administrator for Planning and Special Projects, Angela Ellis, has announced her retirement effective this Friday, July 19, 2024.
Ellis began her career with Livingston County in 1994 as a Planner in the Planning Department. She advanced to become the County's first female Planning Director in 2008 and was promoted to the newly-created Deputy County Administrator position in 2018. Along the way, she has not only broken barriers, but also garnered numerous awards and accolades for her work while helping to plot the future direction of Livingston County.
"Angela's retirement marks the end of an era for Livingston County,” said County Board Chair David LeFeber. “Her expertise, dedication, and innovative approach to planning and administration have been invaluable throughout her time here. She leaves behind a legacy of progress and collaboration that will benefit our community for years to come. On behalf of the board, I wish her all the best as she enjoys a very well-deserved retirement."
Throughout her tenure, Ellis has been instrumental in numerous initiatives that have shaped the County's development and improved the quality of life for its residents. Her collaborative approach to planning has resulted in several awards for the County, including the 2022 ICMA Local Government Excellence Award for Community Equity & Inclusion for the THRIVE LivINgston Anti-Poverty Plan; multiple National Association of County Organizations Achievement Awards for various projects, including the Interoperable Emergency Communications Plan, the Conesus Lake Watershed Education Center, and Ride LivINgston; and the 2015 Transportation Planning Excellence Award from the Federal Highway Administration for the Livingston County Transportation Connectivity Plan, among others.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve the Board of Supervisors, County Administrator Coyle and our residents,” said Ellis. “My position has given me the opportunity to serve in so many ways and to work with so many people that care deeply about their communities. I’ve enjoyed the diversity and complexity of the issues and challenges over the years, and being a part of something much bigger than myself. More importantly, I am proud of the collaboration and partnerships formed at the regional, state and federal levels to address these challenges. We need to be at the table to represent our interests and I believe our involvement has been fruitful for the County, whether it be for funding for transportation projects or assistance with protecting our farms, Conesus Lake water quality, addressing housing needs, or expanding infrastructure. I will certainly miss my role and responsibilities as Deputy County Administrator. Livingston County will always be in my heart and forever known as ‘My County.’”
Ellis has been a driving force behind key County initiatives, including:
- The development of the County's first Housing Needs Assessment & Market Analysis
- Establishment of the Livingston County Land Bank Corporation
- Implementation of the "Light Up Livingston" broadband initiative
- Creation of the County's first brownfield cleanup program
- Advancement of agricultural preservation efforts
“During her time with Livingston County, Angela has been committed to offering effective, planful, spirited public service to the residents of Livingston County,” said County Administrator Ian M. Coyle. “She was instrumental in making the Livingston County Planning Department a model for other counties in New York State and her leadership and tremendous work ethic will be missed by all. We wish Angela the best in all her future endeavors.”
Her leadership extends beyond the County, serving in various roles with organizations such as the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, New York State Association of Counties, New York State Association of County Planning Directors, and the Genesee Transportation Council. As an active member of the community, Ellis has been a part of the Geneseo Rotary Club since 2013, and serves on the board for Livingston County CARES, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting communities and individuals locally, regionally, nationwide, and globally in humanitarian projects, focusing on disaster relief and recovery efforts.
Ellis is succeeded by Megan Crowe as the County’s new Planning Director. Crowe brings more than a decade of experience to the role, most recently having served as Deputy Planning Director for the County, where she was instrumental in advancing work related to broadband, housing, transportation, mobility management, water and wastewater infrastructure.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.