Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon appointed former Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow to serve as a deputy county executive overseeing planning and economic development, McMahon said Monday.
Barlow will replace Deputy County Executive Bob Petrovich, who plans to retire.
Barlow does not yet live in Onondaga County but has signed a lease to live in Cicero, he said. He served as mayor of Oswego for two terms, from 2016 through 2023. Barlow was the youngest sitting mayor in New York state when he was elected at 25 years old.
“When he laid out this job description, and the circumstance, and all the progress being made in this county, it almost felt like a job that was written for me,” Barlow said. “So I think I took about 24 hours to contemplate it, and got back and said absolutely, because it really will be a privilege to be able to work on the projects and help build up the momentum.”
After his second term ended in 2023, Barlow became Vice President of Public Affairs and System Development at Oswego Health.
Barlow attended Arizona State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental technology management in 2012.
McMahon noted that at first he was unsure if Barlow would accept the position. As a deputy cCounty executive, Barlow’s responsibilities will involve directing the Central New York semiconductor cluster strategy plan and addressing housing priorities in Onondaga County, said McMahon.
McMahon noted some of Barlow’s achievements as mayor, including the construction of 200 housing units, 80% of which were affordable housing, and leading a $14 million waterfront redevelopment project on the shore of Lake Ontario.
Petrovich will stay on as an aide to McMahon through July 30, according to a press release from the county executive’s office.
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