Oneida County has a new commissioner of public works with three decades of service to the county.
According to a statement, Oneida Executive Anthony Picente Jr. appointed Jeffrey Quakenbush as commissioner, effective July 6.
Quackenbush succeeds Matthew Baisley, who is departing county government to pursue an opportunity in the private sector after nearly a decade of service to Oneida County.
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Quackenbush brings more than three decades of public sector, engineering and infrastructure-related experience to the role and has served Oneida County in multiple capacities throughout his career. Since 2022, he has served as Deputy Commissioner of Planning, overseeing a staff of 20 employees and helping guide planning and development initiatives across the county.
Prior to that role, Quackenbush served as Oneida County’s GIS coordinator for more than two decades, managing the department’s geographic information systems division and supporting major county infrastructure projects, including oversight of system data collection and analysis for the countywide sanitary sewer rehabilitation project. His work also included project planning, budgeting, technology management and interdepartmental coordination.
Earlier in his career, Quackenbush served as assessor for the town of Deerfield, worked in Oneida County’s Real Property Division and held engineering and surveying positions in the private sector.
“Jeff brings an extensive background in planning, infrastructure, engineering support and county operations that makes him exceptionally qualified to lead our Department of Public Works,” Picente said in a statement. “He understands how local government functions, has managed complex projects and teams, and has spent his career helping build and maintain the systems and infrastructure our residents rely on every day. I am confident he will continue moving this department forward and deliver results for the people of Oneida County.”
Quackenbush earned a Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering from the University of Maine and an Associate of Engineering in Engineering Science from Mohawk Valley Community College. He also obtained licensure as a Land Surveyor in Training and previously held certification as a New York State Assessor.
“I want to thank County Executive Picente for the confidence he has placed in me and for this opportunity to serve in a new capacity,” Quackenbush said in a statement. “Having spent much of my career working for Oneida County, I understand the important role the Department of Public Works plays in supporting county operations and delivering services to our residents. I look forward to taking on this new challenge, working alongside the dedicated staff within the department and continuing to build on the strong foundation that has already been established.”
Picente also thanked Baisley for his years of service to Oneida County.
“Matt has played an important role in helping oversee county facilities, infrastructure and public works operations over the last several years,” Picente said. “His leadership and dedication have helped advance major projects and support county government operations. We thank him for his service and wish him continued success in this next chapter.”
Baisley joined Oneida County in 2017 as Assistant Civil Engineer, later serving as Deputy Commissioner of Buildings and Grounds before being appointed Commissioner of Public Works in 2023.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Oneida County appoints new commissioner of public works
Reporting by Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
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By Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
