City Manager Greg Usry announced this week that Brian Shea, currently Albany’s Chief of City Operations, will become Rye’s Assistant City Manager in early February, after relocating to Westchester.
Shea served previously as Chief of Staff to Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. He was also Upstate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
He earned an undergraduate degree at Binghamton University and a Master of Public Administration from Marist College.
In September, Usry engaged a national search firm to fill the position. The firm identified 25 candidates, including a number from “the lower counties”. The final four candidates were interviewed by video and in writing.
Usry told the paper that with the number of current critical projects needing attention – flood mitigation, capital expenditures, Save the Sound lawsuit, Boat Basin dredging, among them – Shea will add a new depth of knowledge at City Hall.
“Brian’s institutional knowledge, gained as head of ops in Albany will certainly be helpful in flood mitigation and other matters,” Usry said.
The Assistant City Manager position has been vacant for nearly four years following Eleanor Militana’s administrative leave in January 2018. Shea’s hiring continues Usry’s re-staffing at City Hall. Usry, who was made permanent City Manager last summer after a successful interim stint, recently hired Michael Kopy as Commissioner of Public Safety.
