John L. Buono, Chairman,
Thruway Board of Directors

John L. Buono is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Thruway Authority and its subsidiary, the New York State Canal Corporation. He was nominated to the post by Governor George E. Pataki and confirmed by the New York State Senate on June 20, 2002. His term will expire in 2011.

Mr. Buono was named president of Hudson Valley Community College in 1998. It was a homecoming of sorts for the city of Rensselaer native, who graduated in 1968 from Hudson Valley Community College before earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University at Albany. Mr. Buono retired from Hudson Valley Community College on December 31, 2003.

Mr. Buono has made a career of public service. Following a two-year period in which he served as an administrator and teacher at St. Agnes School in Loudonville, he served in the mid-70’s as Commissioner of Employment and Training for Rensselaer County, overseeing vocational and job skills training programs. From there, he was appointed Deputy County Executive.

He was elected Rensselaer County Clerk in 1978, and he held that position until deciding in 1985 to run for Rensselaer County Executive. Mr. Buono served as Rensselaer County Executive from 1986 to 1995, and during that time he helped streamline county government and maintain excellent bond ratings. He was frequently at the forefront of consolidation and regionalization efforts, and actively lobbied on behalf of the county at the state and national levels.

In 1995, Governor Pataki appointed Mr. Buono to direct the New York State Dormitory Authority. As one of the largest municipal bond issuers and public construction agencies in the country, the Dormitory Authority has a combined portfolio of outstanding bonds totaling more than $24 billion.

Mr. Buono spent three years as executive director of the Authority. During that time, he worked to consolidate two other agencies – The Medical Care Facilities Finance Agency and the Facilities Development Corporation – into the Dormitory Authority. This reduced the size and cost of the three agencies, while also providing one-stop service for project financing and construction.

In 1998, Mr. Buono was asked to assume the presidency of Hudson Valley Community College. He worked to expand the college's role in the Capital Region and actively sought out collaborative initiatives with local businesses and civic organizations.

Mr. Buono has been honored on numerous occasions. Among other honors, he received the Troy Good Scout Award from the Twin Rivers Council of the Boys Scouts of America, the President ’s Award from the Urban League of Northeastern New York, the Distinguished Alumni Award from SUNY Rockefeller Institute, the National Association of Counties Achievement Award, and the SUNY Golden Anniversary Chancellor’s Recognition Award.

Mr. Buono and his wife, Roberta ("Bobbie"), have two children, Christine and Nicholas.

For more information, read the Chairman's welcome message.

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E. Virgil Conway, Thruway Board of Directors

E. Virgil Conway was confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation Boards in December 2006.  Mr. Conway will serve in a term that expires on January 1, 2008.

A financial consultant and corporate director for more than 50 years, Mr. Conway had served most recently as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).  The MTA serves as the umbrella organization for the various agencies that operate the public transportation systems in the 14-county metropolitan New York area. 

Prior to serving as MTA’s Chairman, Mr. Conway served as the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council Chairman from 1992-1995; from 1968-1988, Mr. Conway served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director of The Seaman’s Bank for Savings, PSB.

  Mr. Conway received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York and his LLB from Yale University Law School in New Haven, Connecticut. He resides in Bronxville, New York with his wife, Elaine.

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All Board members, including the Chairman, are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate. The members of the Board receive no salary in connection with the performance of their duties. Vacancies in the Board occurring other than by expiration of the term are filled for the unexpired term in the same manner. Pursuant to the Public Officers Law, members of the Board whose terms have expired continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.

Erin M. Crotty, Thruway Board of Directors

Erin M. Crotty was nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board in June 2006. Ms. Crotty is the President of The Crotty Group, LLC., located in Troy, New York, a management consulting firm that assists corporations, governments and non-governmental organizations with the complex issues relating to the environment, energy, economic development and land use. The corporate practice area focuses on corporate social responsibility: the integration and alignment of the environmental and social aspects of a company into its business strategy to gain competitive advantage.

Ms. Crotty served as the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation from March 2001 through February 2005. Her responsibilities included the strategic, policy, legislative, public and media relations development and implementation of the executive agency charged with environmental protection and natural resource conservation.

Prior to that, Ms. Crotty served as Director of State & Local Government Relations for Plug Power, Inc. a leading provider of stationary fuel cell systems. Ms. Crotty also served as Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Water Quality & Environmental Remediation for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, as the Director of Special Environmental Projects for Governor George Pataki and as a policy analyst for the New York State Senate.

Ms. Crotty presently serves on the Board of Trustees of Emma Willard School and the Board of Directors for Audubon New York. Ms Crotty has received several awards for her work in protecting the environment, including the Conservationist of the Year award from The Adirondack Council, the Environmental Law Section Award from the New York State Bar Association and the Long Island Sound Guardian Award.

Ms. Crotty received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Russell Sage College and a Master of Science in Urban and Environmental Studies from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She resides in Brunswick, New York.

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Frederick M. Howard, Thruway Board of Directors

Frederick M. Howard was nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board in September 2006. Mr. Howard, a Licensed Professional Engineer currently serving as County Engineer in Rensselaer County, New York, has 40 years of public and private sector engineering experience.

Prior to serving on the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board, Mr. Howard gained 22 years of experience with two architectural engineering firms. His responsibilities included the design and implementation of highway and bridge rehabilitation, replacement and upgrade projects; as well as planning and implementation of building renovation and expansion. Mr. Howard also served on the Board of Directors for the Sear-Brown Group of Rochester, New York. In addition, he held the title of project manager on many projects including the preliminary assessment and design for the reconstruction of the Niagara Thruway (I-190), initial diving inspection and surveying of the Tappan Zee Bridge and design of Gateway Information Centers with NYSDOT.

Mr. Howard has also served in the Army Corps of Engineers in Germany and Vietnam holding positions as platoon leader and a company commander in heavy construction and combat engineer companies. Additionally, he was an Assistant Professor in Military Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Mr. Howard received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Cincinnati and a Masters of Science in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He currently resides in Valley Falls, New York.

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Kevin J. Plunkett, Esq., Thruway Board of Directors

Kevin J. Plunkett, Esq. was confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation Boards in December 2006. Mr. Plunkett is serving in a three-year term that will expire in December 2009.

Mr. Plunkett is currently a partner in the international law firm of Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP, representing public and private sector clients. Mr. Plunkett was also an equity member in the regional law firm of Plunkett & Jaffe, P.C. from April 2000 through June 1979.

Prior to that, Mr. Plunkett served as the Assistant District Attorney for the Westchester County District Attorney's Office. Mr. Plunkett was assigned to the felony trial division and local court bureau where he was responsible for conducting jury/non-jury criminal trials, including "A" felony cases; administration of criminal cases and investigations; and the coordination of investigations with local, county and State Policy, and federal law

Mr. Plunkett brings 27 years of legal experience to the Board, including background related to land use, environmental issues, and zoning and planning representation.

Mr. Plunkett received a Bachelor of Arts degree from College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University, College of Law in Saint Petersburg, Florida. He resides in Tarrytown, New York with his wife, Rosemary.

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Jeffrey D. Williams, Thruway Board of Directors

Jeffrey D. Williams was nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board in June 2006. Mr. Williams also holds the position of Partner in Lewiston Management Group, LLC and Niagara Falls Properties, LLC, and Associate Broker with Great Lakes Real Estate.

Prior to serving on the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board, Mr. Williams served as Manager of Local Government Affairs for National Grid where he managed local government issues and assisted in State government issues for the former Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. He also served as Clerk of the Niagara County Legislature from 1998 to 2000. His responsibilities included managing and handling all aspects of County Government.

Mr. Williams received a Bachelor's Degree from St. John Fisher College. He resides in Lewiston, New York with his wife and their three children.

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Michael R. Fleischer, Esq., Executive Director
New York State Thruway Authority

Michael R. Fleischer has served as Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation since April 30, 2003.

He is the Chief Operating Officer of the 641-mile Thruway and the 524-mile Canal System. Combined, the two transportation entities employ more than 3,500 people and generate more than $500 million in tolls annually. Under Mr. Fleischer’s leadership, the Authority’s efforts are primarily focused on the delivery of the multi-year Capital Program, E-ZPass improvements and enhanced customer service.

During Mr. Fleischer’s tenure, the Authority adopted a new multi-year Capital Plan that ensures the continuance of the Authority’s commitment to providing high levels of safety and service to its customers.  Under this Plan, Thruway customers in every region of New York State will benefit from less traffic congestion, cost-saving commuter plans, highway-speed E-ZPass lanes, improved infrastructure and more. 

In January 2007, the Authority opened the first highway speed E-ZPass lanes along the New York State Thruway at the Spring Valley Toll Barrier, allowing commercial E-ZPass customers to drive through the area at highway speeds. Only commercial vehicles pay tolls at Spring Valley. The Authority also plans to begin construction on highway-speed E-ZPass at the Woodbury Toll Barrier (Orange County) in 2007 and at the Williamsville Toll Barrier (Erie County) in 2010, which will allow E-ZPass customers to travel from one end of the state to the other without slowing down to pay a toll.

In addition, under Mr. Fleischer’s leadership, the Authority has focused on improving customer service for Thruway users.  Among the initiatives implemented under Mr. Fleischer’s direction are improved signage and lane delineations at toll plazas, more higher-speed (20 mph) E-ZPass lanes at a number of locations system wide, and the implementation of E-ZPass On-the-Go, a program that allows travelers to purchase E-ZPass tags at retail establishments and Thruway Travel Plazas. 

Also under Mr. Fleischer’s tenure, the Authority has initiated a number of customer service improvements. The Thruway Regional Advisory Network System (TRANSystem) provides customers with real-time traffic, weather, construction and emergency information through synchronized media, designed to afford the customer the ability to make educated decisions on travel routes. Updated travel information is available through the use of a toll-free number, the Authority’s website, Highway Advisory Radio, Dynamic Message Signs, and through TRANSAlert, the Authority’s free, electronic communication service which informs customers of major unscheduled incidents that may affect their travel along the Thruway via email and/or text messaging.  The TRANSalert email service will also be used to disseminate real-time AMBER Alerts to promptly alert motorists of child abduction cases, when needed.

In March 2007, the Authority announced free Wireless Internet Service (Wi-Fi) access at all 27 Thruway Travel Plazas located along the 641 mile superhighway. The Wi-Fi system provides free Internet access to customers who visit the Travel Plazas with Wi-Fi enabled devices. Since inception, over 9000 clients have signed on to use this new service. 

Since the beginning of 2004, the Authority has been working with Transportation Federation partners, including among others, the NYS Department of Transportation and the Bridge Authority, to provide customers with a transportation system that is both safe and customer-friendly. 

Prior to joining the Authority/Corporation, Mr. Fleischer served as First Deputy Commissioner for the NYS Department of Transportation, where he was directly responsible for the development and implementation of the Department’s $1.65 billion highway and bridge program, as well as the Department’s $4 billion annual budget. 

Mr. Fleischer received a Bachelor's Degree in Government from Hamilton College in 1988; he received his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Western New England College’s School of Law in May 2006; and was admitted to the Bar of the State of New York in January 2007. He resides in East Greenbush, NY, with his wife, Alicia and their five children.

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