Senate Resolution No. 832

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING James J. Piccola, Jr. upon the
occasion of his retirement after 38 years of
distinguished service to the New York State
Department of Transportation

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their
community and the needs of its residents; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate James J. Piccola, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement
after 38 years of distinguished service to the New York State Department
of Transportation; and

WHEREAS, James J. Piccola, Jr. earned an Associate of Arts and
Sciences degree in Building Construction Technology from SUNY Delhi in
1987, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from
Utica College in 2003; and

WHEREAS, James J. Piccola, Jr. began his illustrious career with the
New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in 1985 as a
seasonal Transportation Construction Inspector in Region 2 before being
appointed to a full-time Engineering Technician position in the Design
Survey Unit in October of 1990; and

WHEREAS, Over the next 16 years, James J. Piccola, Jr. held
progressively higher engineering technician titles while serving as a
Construction Materials Inspector, CADD Drafter, Assistant Regional
Utility Engineer, and Regional Utility Engineer; and

WHEREAS, In November of 2006, James J. Piccola, Jr. was promoted to
a Civil Engineer 1 position in the Regional Planning and Program
Management Group where he served as the Local Project Manager for
Hamilton, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties for seven years; and

WHEREAS, James J. Piccola, Jr. became the Regional Public
Information Officer (PIO) in 2013, while continuing to serve as a Local
Project Manager; two years later, while remaining as the PIO, he
transitioned to the Construction Group to be an inspector on the Utica
North South Arterial Project, the esteemed position from which he will
officially retire on April 27, 2023; and

WHEREAS, James J. Piccola, Jr. has continuously demonstrated
exceptional leadership, teamwork, and work ethic in his role as Region
2's Public Information Officer; his efforts have been instrumental in
establishing NYSDOT as a transparent and trustworthy State agency in the
Mohawk Valley Region; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he is a trusted source of accurate information
for numerous media outlets, elected officials, and the public in
general; and


WHEREAS, Throughout his extraordinary career, which traversed nearly
four decades, James J. Piccola, Jr. has served as a vital link between
what is happening on site and with the public with his detailed,
consistent updates, including traffic pattern changes that affect
thousands of motorists every day; such transparency has made for a
smoother process for both contractor and constituent; and

WHEREAS, A longtime engaged member and supporter of the New York
State Association of Transportation Engineers (NYSATE), James J.
Piccola, Jr. has been a member of Section 2 since 1990, and has
participated in numerous Sectional events and fundraisers; and

WHEREAS, James J. Piccola, Jr. was the proud recipient of the 2021
Commissioner's Meritorious Achievement Award by NYSDOT, the second
highest employee award, for his substantial contributions to the
department's mission; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, James J. Piccola, Jr. has served as an AYSO soccer coach and
Little League baseball coach; his dedication to mentoring young people
was recognized by the Oneida-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES School and Business
Alliance; and

WHEREAS, In his spare time, James J. Piccola, Jr. enjoys cooking,
hiking the Adirondacks, and spending time with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 30 years, Kathy,
and their two children, Ryan and Marissa, all of whom feel privileged to
be a part of his life and rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate
blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that
demonstrated by James J. Piccola, Jr. over a lifetime of sacrifice and
dedication to others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate James J. Piccola, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement,
and to wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to James J. Piccola, Jr.