Mark J. F. Schroeder

Mark J. F. Schroeder
Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 4, 2019
GovernorAndrew Cuomo
Kathy Hochul
Preceded byBarbara J. Fiala
City Comptroller of Buffalo, New York
In office
January 1, 2012 – January 27, 2019
MayorByron Brown
Preceded byAndrew SanFilippo
Succeeded byBarbara Miller-Williams
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 145th district
In office
January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2011
Preceded byBrian Higgins
Succeeded byMickey Kearns
Member of the Erie County Legislature
from the 2nd district
In office
January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2004
Preceded byMichael A. Fitzpatrick
Succeeded byTim Kennedy
Personal details
Born (1955-12-13) December 13, 1955 (age 69)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Other political
affiliations		Reform (2017)
SpouseKathleen Horan
Children3
Residence(s)South Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Alma materSUNY Erie (AAS)
Empire State College (BS)

Mark J. F. Schroeder (born December 13, 1955) is an American politician who currently serves as the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Early life and education

Schroeder was raised in South Buffalo, New York, where he attended Public School #72, St. Thomas Aquinas School, and Bishop Timon – St. Jude High School. He received an A.A.S. degree from SUNY Erie in 1976, and a B.S. degree from Empire State College in 1982.[1]

Career

Erie County Legislature

In 2001, Schroeder ran for an open seat in the Erie County Legislature against conservative Joe Kelly of South Buffalo. As a County Legislator, he started the Greater South Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, which currently has more than 200 members and holds several community events every year. That same year, Schroeder founded the South Buffalo Education Center, which offers G.E.D. classes and computer and vocational training, helping more than 500 students receive their GEDs since 2002.[2]

New York State Assembly

Schroeder was first elected to the Assembly in November 2004 and he was re-elected in November 2006. He won the November 2008 general election with 75 percent of the vote[3][4] and ran uncontested in the November 2010 general election.[5][6]

In 2010, Schroeder indicated he would not vote for Sheldon Silver as Speaker of the New York State Assembly, although both are Democrats.[7]

Buffalo City Comptroller

In June 2011, he expressed interest in running for the position of Buffalo City Comptroller, which had been recently vacated by Andrew SanFilippo when he was appointed New York State Deputy Comptroller. He was expected to face opposition in a Democratic primary from Erie County Legislature Majority Leader Maria Whyte, but she withdrew from the race to instead run in a special election for Erie County Clerk. In November 2011, Schroeder was elected Buffalo City Comptroller, he was unopposed.[citation needed]

New York DMV Commissioner

On December 30, 2018, Schroeder announced he will be resigning from the City Comptroller's office to become the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.[8]

Personal life

Schroeder resides in South Buffalo, with his wife, Kathleen (née Horan), and their three children.

References

  1. ^ "Mark J. Schroeder". League of Women Voters. Retrieved March 27, 2001.
  2. ^ "Campaign Bio".
  3. ^ "Election Results 2008: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2008. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012.
  4. ^ "Assembly Election Returns: November 4, 2008" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 23, 2012.
  5. ^ "Election Results 2010: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2010. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012.
  6. ^ "Assembly Election Returns: November 2, 2010" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2013.
  7. ^ Benjamin, Elizabeth (November 8, 2010). "Schroeder: I Won't Support Silver". YNN Capital Tonight. Archived from the original on December 25, 2010.
  8. ^ Watson, Stephen T. (December 30, 2018). "Mark Schroeder resigning as Buffalo comptroller to be state DMV chief". The Buffalo News.
Political offices
Preceded by
Michael A. Fitzpatrick
 Erie County legislator, 2nd district
January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Buffalo City Comptroller
January 1, 2012 – January 27, 2019 		Incumbent
New York State Assembly
Preceded by Assemblyman for the 145th district
January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2011 		Vacant
Title next held by
Michael P. Kearns