Oneida County Executive honored with NYSAC Public Service Award

The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) honored Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. with its Executive Director’s Award for Public Service, the association’s highest achievement award, during its annual Legislative Conference in Albany

“For nearly 20 years, County Executive Picente has been a pillar of strong, effective leadership in the Mohawk Valley and for our association,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario, in a statement. “At home, he led his county through the depths of the Great Recession and Covid pandemic and was the galvanizing force behind the economic resurgence of the Mohawk Valley. For NYSAC, his wealth of experience and expertise has been invaluable to his fellow county leaders and to our advocacy on their behalf.”

Picente noted that awards, such as these, are important beyond just personal recognition; they “highlight the essential role that local governments play.”

“There are 62 counties across the state and I’ve had the honor of working with representatives in each office," he said. "I’m proud of the public service I’ve achieved individually but none of it would have been possible without collaboration. I hope this award sends a message about how valuable this work truly is. Local government is a great profession; you get to watch your visions come to fruition.”

Public service recognition

Picente is the 13th Oneida County Executive and the longest serving in the county's history and has terms as both the president of the New York State Association of Counties and president of the New York State County Executives’ Association.

According to Acquario, Picente was chosen for the award due to his prolific work improving the county’s county's financial outlook and credit rating while focusing on advancing economic development in the county in nanotechnology, cyber security, and unmanned aerial systems.

“County Executive Picente was instrumental in leading the state and county to reach an historic settlement in 2013 with the Oneida Indian Nation,” Acquario continued. “As the county enters its 224th year its recently rebranded mission and core values will lend itself for many years to come.”

'Now, we have to look to 2030'

Acquario also acknowledged Picente’s creation of the Vision 2020 Initiative, bringing together stakeholders from across Oneida County to promote job opportunities, as well as education, training, and housing alternatives.

As stated by Picente, the forethought behind the initiative was to blend core pieces together into a vision that could propel the county into a growth pattern.

“I asked myself what would happen if our population increased – what would be necessary to cushion the growth of our economy?,” he recalled.

Picente admitted he could not have foreseen the way progress manifested – pointing to the Utica University Nexus Center as an example. He explained that things “just started falling into place.”

“And, it doesn’t stop here,” Picente said. “Our work is far from done, now we have to look to 2030.”

13 rules of leadership

During the award ceremony Acquario compared Picente’s leadership to training he’d received from Matt Chase, at the National Association of Counties (NACo) High Performance Leadership Academy.

“Picente embodies all of General Khan Powell’s 13 rules of leadership,” Acquario said. “Number one, it ain’t as bad as you think, it will look better in the morning. Get mad and get over it. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it. Number four, it can be done. Number five, be careful what you choose– you may get it. Number six, don’t let adverse facts get in the way of a good decision. You can’t make someone else’s choice. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours. Check the small things. Share credit. Remain calm and be kind. Have a vision. Be demanding. Don’t take counsel of your fears. And finally, perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”

Picente accepted his award, making a point to thank his staff as well as NYSAC President Daniel P. McCoy.

“We are the level of government closest to the people; we know what’s happening in our streets, in our neighborhoods, and that’s why I love what I do,” emphasized Picente. “County government is the most relevant government in the state of New York.”

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente NYSAC Public Service Award