Former state agency leader will take Smiley's place.
Jean SmileySYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The former head of a state agency responsible for funding environmental projects is coming to Onondaga County to take over the job of Jean Smiley, who plans to retire in late June as deputy county executive for physical services.
Matthew J. Millea, executive vice president of the Environmental Facilities Corp., has agreed to step into Smiley’s job after she leaves, County Executive Joanie Mahoney said. Millea was acting president of EFC until former Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll was appointed president last year. He stayed on as executive vice president after that. “We are very lucky to get someone with his expertise,” Mahoney said.
Smiley, 55, of Clay, is retiring after more than 30 years of service to the county. Mahoney said she was disappointed when Smiley shared her plans to retire.
Among many accomplishments, Smiley was instrumental in changing the direction of the county’s lake cleanup project from a reliance on sewage treatment facilities to a greater focus on green technology such as rain gardens and porous pavement.
“Her professionalism and commitment have assisted me in some of my proudest accomplishments and led to decisions that will impact this county for decades to come,” Mahoney said. “Jean will truly be missed.”
Millea’s arrival coincides with the beginning of many of the green infrastructure projects that Smiley helped put in place, and his experience with state and federal funding will be invaluable, Mahoney said. In just over a year, Millea distributed more than $500 million in federal stimulus funds for water and wastewater projects around the state. EFC is a public benefit corporation affiliated with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Millea, who plans to move to Onondaga County from the Albany area with his wife and two young sons, will start at a salary of $111,000. That’s less than Smiley’s salary of $115,289, and well below the $147,889 Millea earned at EFC.