Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced new administration appointments. Michael J. DeGeorge, who most recently served as Mayor Brown’s Communication’s Director, has been appointed as senior advisor to the mayor. Mayor Brown also named Oswaldo Mestre, Jr. as one of his senior advisors and changed his title from Director of Citizen Services to Executive Director of Citizens Services.
Mayor Brown stated, “Michael DeGeorge and Oswaldo Mestre, Jr. have been tremendous assets to me, to our colleagues at Buffalo City Hall and to all City residents, and I am grateful for their service. I am proud to welcome them as my senior advisors, two individuals and public servants who are talented, highly qualified and support the diversity that makes Buffalo strong. I am confident in their skills and commitment, and I look forward to building our City’s future with them at my side.”
Mayor Brown continued, “Mike DeGeorge has a proven track record of success in developing competent communication strategies for important initiatives, including equity initiatives, and has brought much-needed attention to the city’s efforts to further improve the lives of its residents and communities. Oswaldo Mestre, Jr. is a longtime public servant who has served the people of Buffalo as Director of Citizen Services and the 311 Call and Resolution Center since 2006. His exceptional leadership, coupled with his vast network and global perspective rooted in the citizen and constituent experience, have strengthened our Administration’s ability to serve our community effectively. Mestre’s commitment to building bridges and bringing communities together has truly been instrumental in our shared progress. His strong relationships with communities citywide will continue to serve our Administration well.”
In their new roles, Michael DeGeorge and Oswaldo Mestre, Jr. will advise Mayor Brown and his Senior Staff on major initiatives that further improve the lives of City residents and effectively communicate the city’s vision and goals. They will continue to oversee their previous departments, including the Mayor’s Office of Communications and the Division of Citizen Services, respectively.
“I’m honored to have this new leadership opportunity and thank Mayor Brown for his continued confidence in me,” stated DeGeorge.
DeGeorge earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Canisius University. Prior to City government,
DeGeorge worked as an executive producer at 7 News WKBW, after a lengthy career at WGRZ as an on-air sports anchor/reporter, as well as Empire Sports. His new position takes effect immediately.
Appointed in 2006 by Mayor Brown, Oswaldo Mestre, Jr. will continue to spearhead the Division of Citizen Services with the new title of Executive Director. He is a respected public servant, the City’s first Chief Service Officer, and a dedicated advocate for the people of Buffalo. Throughout his tenure as the Director of Citizen Services and the 311 Call and Resolution Center, Mestre has established strong relationships with communities citywide, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the Brown Administration.
“We are at an important time in our City’s history, and I am honored to serve our community and continue working with Mayor Brown as one of his senior advisors,” said Mestre.
In addition to his local impact, Mestre’s influence extends nationally and globally, positioning Buffalo as a beacon of engagement and a source of valuable lessons for communities worldwide. Mestre’s extensive network and collaborative efforts have fostered large-scale partnerships, including renowned organizations such as Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard University, SUNY Buffalo State University Public Administration & Nonprofit Management Advisory Board, Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative® (CGLI) of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and many more. Mestre has received numerous awards and recognition worldwide, most recently from Buffalo State’s Political Science and Public Administration Department’s Outstanding Service to the Master of Public Administration Award, GovTech Magazine’s 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers, and one of Computerworld’s 2016 Premier 100 Technology Leaders. His new position takes effect immediately.
Today’s appointments follow a number of key appointments made by Mayor Brown last week, including Rashied McDuffie, Esq who was named Deputy Mayor of Operations, succeeding previous deputy mayor Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney; Callie Johnson, PhD was appointed Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement, succeeding previous deputy mayor Ellen E. Grant, PhD; Michael Marcy was named Mayor Brown’s Chief of Staff; Jessica M. Smith is serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, and Bernadette Taylor, Office Manager of the Mayor’s Office.