Picente Announces New DPW & Planning Commissioners

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today announced he has appointed Mark Laramie as Commissioner of the Department of Public Works and James Genovese as Commissioner of the Oneida County Planning Department.

“As Oneida County Government continues to move forward into a new era, I am pleased to have dynamic and innovative leaders like Mark Laramie and James Genovese head two of our key departments,” Picente said. “Mark has played an essential role in our Department of Public Works for decades, managing our buildings and grounds, two airfields and overseeing crucial capital projects with excellence. James has worked hand-in-hand with the Planning Department during his time in my office to advance several initiatives and I look forward to him taking that department in a new direction that will help execute my vision for Oneida County.”

Laramie will become DPW Commissioner on March 28, replacing Dennis Davis who is retiring after nearly 40 years of county service. Laramie has worked in county government for 30 years, spending the past 20 as Deputy Commissioner of the Public Works Department’s Division of Engineering and as the manager of the Divisions of Buildings and Grounds and Aviation.

"I am excited and honored to be offered this opportunity,” Laramie said. “I thank County Executive Picente for his trust and confidence in my abilities."

Since beginning his county career as an assistant engineer in the Department of Public Works in 1990, Laramie has gone on to become responsible for managing numerous large-scale public works projects with total expenditures far exceeding $500 million. Among them have been the on-going asbestos abatement project at the county office building and the overhauling of the REA Wing at Union Station in Utica and the renovations to the county court facilities in Rome.

Laramie has a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Clarkson University and is registered as a professional engineer in the State of New York.

Genovese will take over as Commissioner of Planning on Feb. 26. Genovese has been an integral figure in the Picente administration since February 2013, spearheading County Executive initiatives such as Vision 2020, Dairy Farmer Sustainability Action Plan, flood mitigation and government consolidation. Genovese has also had roles in intergovernmental affairs and public communications working with multiple levels of government and community agencies.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity to continue to serve this administration in a new capacity and I thank County Executive Picente for his continued confidence in my work,” Genovese said. “I look forward to carrying out his vision in a department that is filled with the talent and expertise that is vital to moving this community forward.”

Before joining county government, Genovese held various campaign management positions for federal and local campaigns, served as an executive director of a non-profit organization and worked with a nationwide marketing firm.

He has a master’s degree in applied politics from the University of Akron.

Regina Venettozzi had been serving as interim Planning Commissioner since the retirement of John Kent. She will return to her previous role of Chief Planner.

Davis started his county career in 1980, and advanced to Deputy Commissioner of the Public Works Department’s Division of Highways, Bridges and Structures in 1990 before becoming DPW Commissioner in 2010. He has served as President of the New York State County Highway Superintendents Association and on the New York State Association of Counties transportation and climate resiliency committees.

During his career, Davis played a pivotal role in formalizing the long-standing shared services program with the Highway Departments of the county’s cities, towns and villages, and in coordinating the efforts of the New York State Department of Transportation and Mohawk Valley Community College’s standardized one-person plowing program.

“Dennis has been a cornerstone of Oneida County government for decades and did an outstanding job as our DPW Commissioner,” Picente said. “I thank him for his years of hard work and dedication, as well as Regina for doing a great job as interim Planning Commissioner. Her continued presence in that department will prove to be invaluable.”