Oswego County Administrator Elected President of NYSAC

by Contributor | September 27, 2025 9:19 am

OSWEGO COUNTY – New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) announced that county leaders from across the state elected Oswego County Administrator Philip Church as the group’s 81st president during its annual meeting and fall seminar in Niagara County.

“Administrator Church is a thoughtful, collaborative leader who embodies the spirit of public service which has defined this association for over a century,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “As we embark on our second century of advocacy, I look forward to working closely with President Church to address the complex challenges counties face and to strengthen the partnership between state and local government for the benefit of every New Yorker.”

Church, who was elected as NYSAC’s first vice president in 2023, will succeed outgoing president Benjamin Boykin, II.

“I am honored to lead NYSAC as we begin our 101st year of service,” said Church. “Counties are navigating a time of great change in technology, policy and community needs. Together, we will build on a century of collaboration to deliver solutions that protect taxpayers and strengthen the vital services our residents rely on.”

Church has long been a key advocate for Oswego County at the state and federal levels. He was appointed chief administrative officer and budget officer for Oswego County in 2007 and supervises all appointed department heads. He develops and manages the $266 million annual budget and capital plan and is a negotiator of tax agreements with nuclear power generators.

In addition, Church is a member of the National Association of Counties’ Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee, the New York Sea Grant Program Advisory Council, the Oswego County Early Childhood Alliance Executive Committee, and serves the Operation Oswego County board as an ex-officio.

Dedicated to preserving and promoting environmental and economic resources, Church chaired the four-county Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary Nomination Task Force. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed its creation in 2024 and Church continues to serve as ex-officio local government liaison to the sanctuary’s advisory council.

Earlier this year, the New York State Academy of Public Administration (SAPA) honored Church with the prestigious Robert McEvoy Award for Local Government Public Service in recognition of his exceptional leadership, visionary strategic planning and unwavering dedication to public service. He was also just presented with the NYSAC Executive Director Award for Public Service.

Recently, Church spoke at the 2025 Nuclear NY Symposium in New York City and, together with Oswego County Legislature Chairman James Weatherup, advocated for the construction of new clean energy advanced nuclear facilities in Oswego County on News Channel 9’s “Newsmakers.”

He has also given keynote remarks to the New York State Tourism Industry Association and the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce about preparing Oswego County for current development and future opportunities.

A life resident of Oswego County, Church is involved in several community organizations. He was the founding chair of the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County and helped form the Early Childhood Alliance of Oswego County.

Church has a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and a bachelor’s degree in history and anthropology from SUNY Buffalo.

For over 100 years, NYSAC has been the only statewide association representing the interests of all 62 counties and the City of New York.?Its mission is to foster excellence in county governance; unite the voices of county leaders and provide advocacy on the critical issues they face. NYSAC is a bipartisan organization that represents counties to federal and state leaders. It informs and educates county officials through conferences, workshops, reports and extensive communication.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego-county-administrator-elected-president-of-nysac/

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