Steven Stepniak, Peter J. Merlo, P.E., and Drew Eszak are the Mayor's newest appointees.
Stepniak was named Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Streets after being the acting commissioner since August of 2007. Before that he held positions as the Senior Engineer for the City of Buffalo Division of Engineering, and Director of Street Cleaning and Snow Removal.
Merlo the new City Engineer, is a licensed New York State professional engineer, and was employed at R&D Engineering, P.C. from 1995 through March 2001, before joining the Division of Water in 2001 as an associate engineer. He was named principal engineer in 2005
Drew Eszak, the interim City Planner in the Office of Strategic Planning was most recently the Erie County Commissioner of Environment & Planning. As interim, Eszak will hold the position for the next few months while a search for a permanent City Planner is conducted, though it is expected that he will also apply for the position. With a strong background in urban and regional planning to the Office of Strategic Planning, he will write neighborhood plans as part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and as they relate to zoning and other approvals.
In a press release, Brown stated: “These are all very experienced and qualified professionals who will serve our city residents well. As we continue to move Buffalo forward, it is important that we have top-level staff who will contribute to the positive momentum we are experiencing as more investment and development takes place in the city.”