Brad Bentley

[MEDIA RELEASE FROM OFFICE OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY EXECUTIVE]

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello has announced the appointment of Brad Bentley as the new Director of the Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities (DPF).

Bentley will begin his new position on August 17 and he will replace longtime director George Spanos.

Bentley’s career spans over 25 years working for public utilities throughout the United States and most recently the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency.  His work experience includes both management and engineering positions while working for American Electric Power in Columbus, Ohio; GridAmerica in Cleveland, Ohio; San Diego Gas & Electric in San Diego, Calif.; and Eversource Energy in Hartford, Conn.

He started his career as an electrical engineer after obtaining his Bachelor of Science Degree from Clarkson University.   While working for American Electric Power, he obtained his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University.  Bentley also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut and has been a registered Professional Engineer since 1997.

As the director of transmission system planning in Hartford, Conn., he was responsible for the development of major transmission projects totaling $5 billion across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.  These projects included the design, engineering and construction of major power substations and high voltage transmission lines to reliably serve customers.  His responsibilities included testifying before various state utility commissions and siting boards.  He also served in leadership roles on international committees that ensure power system reliability across the Northeastern United States.

Pictured above, Chautauqua County welcomes its new Department of Public Facilities (DPF) Director. From left to right: John Hemmer, County Legislator (R-Westfield); Brad Bentley, new DPF Director; George Borrello, Chautauqua County Executive; George Spanos, retiring DPF Director; and Paul Whitford, County Legislator (D-Jamestown).

Prior to accepting this position, Bentley worked for the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency where he was the financial coordinator assisting with economic development projects that are contributing to the rebirth that is happening in the City of Jamestown.

Bentley graduated from Panama Central School, returned to Chautauqua County,  and currently resides in Bemus Point, N.Y. with his wife and two children.

“I thank retiring director George Spanos for his 31 years of service to our county,” said Borrello. “He leaves a critical spot to be filled and I believe Brad is the right person to continue to lead our Department of Public Facilities into the future. Brad moved back to Chautauqua County in 2017 to use his experience to be a part of our county’s revitalization. I believe his 25-year career in the areas of management, engineering, and business will be a great asset to our county and I am excited to welcome him to our team.”

“I am excited to join the Department of Public Facilities team and look forward to working with the department staff, George, county legislators and other stakeholders,” said Bentley. “Since I grew up in Chautauqua County and worked in many different parts of the United States, I have gained an appreciation for what Chautauqua has to offer to its residents and visitors.  In this role, it is important to build upon the wonderful efforts of George Spanos and ensure that we are maximizing our area’s potential.”

The selection of the new public facilities director was made through the help of a bi-partisan search committee, which selected its top candidates for Borrello to interview.   Members of the committee included: John Hemmer, Legislator (R-Westfield); Dave Sanctuary, retired Chautauqua County Airport and Parks Director; Christine Starks, Legislator (D-Fredonia); and Brad Walters, Executive Director of Builders Exchange of the Southern Tier.

The Chautauqua County Airport, just north of Jamestown. (Image via Google)

JAMESTOWN – Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities Director George Spanos will be holding a press conference this afternoon at The Greater Chautauqua-Jamestown Airport Robert H. Jackson Field to introduce Chautauqua County’s new Manager of Airports and Parks.

In March 2014, Sam Arcadipane resigned from his position as manager of county parks and airports. Since then, Dave Sanctuary has served as the interim manager.

Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan.

MAYVILLE – The effort to find a new air carrier for the Chautauqua County Airport in Jamestown will soon be moving forward.

That’s according to County Executive Vince Horrigan, who told WRFA earlier this week that his office is continuing to work with federal officials – including U.S. Senator Charles Schumer – to find a new air service provider for the airport just north of Jamestown.

“A new RFP is in the process of being completed, which will be released, looking for carriers that will bid on the [Essential Air Service] contract for Jamestown, possibly looking at other destinations other than Cleveland, which is what started this entire sequence of events.”

In early February United Airlines announced it was going to terminate its Silver Airways Corp. service at the airport by the end of May. The service had been offering daily flights to and from Cleveland. But with United Airlines pulling service from Cleveland, it meant that it would no longer serve the Jamestown airport.

Horrigan says he and others are also staying in contact with United, should it also be able to continue providing service after May. “We are talking to Silver to look and see what they can do in light of the changes, what the opportunities are and what needs to be done to be able to have the service out of Jamestown for our visitors and those that live here.”

In addition to find a new air service provider, the air port is being overseen by a new manager. On Monday Horrigan confirmed that former airport manager Sam Arcadipane had resigned from his position for undisclosed reasons. In response, Horrigan appointed previous manager Dave Sanctuary as the interim manager.