City of Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010) – Mayor Robert J. Duffy today named City Corporation Counsel Thomas S. Richards as Deputy Mayor. Mr. Richards will assume the post immediately upon the end of Patricia Malgieri’s term.
“Tom Richards brings with him a rich history of accomplishment and outstanding management skills to this position,” said Mayor Duffy. “His work as Corporation Counsel featured such successes as the sale of the fast ferry and management of the Midtown Rising project. While his professional skills and abilities are impressive, it’s his passion for public service and his love for this city that really make him the perfect choice to serve as deputy mayor.”
As Corporation Counsel for the City since 2006, Mr. Richards took on major challenges facing the city and his work will impact the city for decades to come. He oversaw the sale of the fast ferry and the termination of costly long-term leases for the Port Terminal building and with the Toronto Port Authority. The sale of the ferry for nearly $30 million and the termination of the leases greatly reduced the financial burden that taxpayers have to pay.
Richards was also tasked with overseeing the City’s interest in the demolition of Midtown Plaza, the plans for the development of the Midtown Tower and the plans for the coming location of the new world headquarters of PAETEC. The project is on time and on budget. Richards will continue to oversee the project.
“I come to this assignment with great excitement and energy,” said Richards. “But I also come to the job knowing I have big shoes to fill. Patty Malgieri is an outstanding administrator and I hope to continue the momentum that she created within City government. There is much to do and work begins today.”
Before coming to serve as Corporation Counsel in the Duffy Administration, Richards was the chairman, president and chief executive officer of RGS Energy Group, the parent company of Rochester Gas & Electric from 1998 to 2002. After joining RG&E in 1991 as general counsel, he served as senior vice president for corporate services, senior vice president for finance and as president and chief operating officer.
Prior to joining RG&E, Mr. Richards was a partner in the Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle (now Nixon Peabody) law firm. During his 20 years there, he specialized in civil litigation and served at various times as the managing partner and chairman of the management committee.
Richards has a long history of volunteerism and has served on a variety of corporate and community boards. Most recently, he was the volunteer founding chairman of the Greater Rochester Enterprise, a public/private partnership dedicated to the economic development of the Rochester region.
Mr. Richards has also been involved in a number of charitable and community organizations and is currently serving on the boards of Rochester Institute of Technology, Cornell Law School Advisory Council, University of Rochester, University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Partners Health System, Center for Governmental Research, Greater Rochester Enterprise, Rundel Library Foundation, Greater Rochester Health Foundation, Volunteer Legal Services Program and George Eastman House.
Mr. Richards is a graduate of Bucknell University and Cornell University Law School. He served for four years in the U.S. Navy, including a year as a Swift Boat Officer in Vietnam. He and his wife Betty live in Rochester and have two adult sons.
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