Broome Exec-Elect Garnar Announces Staff Picks

Jason Garnar during a radio interview on December 21, 2016. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

Broome County Executive-elect Jason Garnar has named his choices for deputy county executive and several other key posts for his new administration.

Garnar, a Democrat, defeated Republican County Executive Debra Preston in the November election.

Garnar on Wednesday morning announced Kevin McManus will serve as deputy county executive. McManus is a graduate of the Binghamton University Master of Public Administration program.

Ben Lainhart and Colleen Wagner will be executive assistants. Lainhart had served as Garnar's campaign manager and has headed the transition team. Wagner has served as runaway homeless youth coordinator for the county and also was Binghamton's youth bureau director.

Faith Vavra will be secretary to the deputy county executive. She has worked as an adjunct instructor at SUNY Broome Community College and as director of community health for the Broome YMCA.

Connor Gates will be an administrative assistant. He had worked for the Binghamton Mets for nearly two decades, most recently serving as community relations director.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Garnar said he and county legislators will be sworn in during a January 1 ceremony inside the Regional Farmers Market building in the Town of Dickinson.

Garnar said he is close to completing his review of county departments. Several department head changes are expected to be announced next week.

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