Funke Announces Office Locations & Key Staff

Rich Funke

January 26, 2015

New York State Senator Rich Funke today announced the locations and contact information for his District and Albany Offices, in addition to the key staff hires who will assist him in serving the residents of Monroe and Ontario counties. 
I ran for this office to give back to a community that has been great to me and my family, so nothing is more important to me than providing outstanding service to the people of our District,” said Funke. “I’m proud our Albany Office and centrally-located District Office are up and running and I’m pleased to be joined by a great team that will help me best represent our region.
Funke’s Albany and District Offices are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., with the exception of State-recognized holidays. Constituents can contact him at:
The District Office:
Suite 230 Packets Landing
Fairport, NY 14450
Phone: (585) 223-1800
Fax: (585) 223-3157
The Albany Office:
905 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-2215
Fax: (518) 426-6745
Funke can also be contacted by email at funke@nysenate.gov, on Facebook at facebook.com/SenatorFunke, and on Twitter at the handle @SenatorFunke.
Funke’s key staff hires include:
Matthew Nelligan, Chief of Staff:
Nelligan will lead the Senator’s staff and brings with him significant management experience in both the public and private sectors. Nelligan most recently served as Manager of Government Relations for SEMATECH, Inc, an international semi-conductor consortium. He possesses a deep understanding of the State Senate and its operations, having served as Director of Operations, Director of the Standing Committee on Energy & Telecommunications, and Regional Coordinator for the Office of Conference Services. Nelligan earned a M.A. in U.S. Government and Politics from the College of St. Rose and a B.A. from Sienna College. He is a resident of Guilderland, NY.
Jesse Sleezer, Director of Communications & District Operations
Sleezer will oversee the Senator’s District Office and communications operation, serving as the primary contact for Albany and District-based media. Sleezer most recently served as Deputy Director of Communications for Monroe County, NY. He joined the Department of Communications as an Intern and went on to hold the positions of Community Relations Coordinator and Senior Community Relations Coordinator prior to being appointed as Deputy Director. Sleezer earned a B.A. in Political Science and English from St. John Fisher College. He is a resident of Irondequoit, where he serves as Leader of the Irondequoit Republican Committee.
Laura Manley, Legislative Director
Manley will coordinate the Office’s development, sponsorship, and passage of legislation and policy impacting residents of 55th District. Manley most recently served as Director of Policy Development & Committee Clerk for Senator Mark Grisanti. Prior to joining Grisanti’s Office, she served as Community Liaison for the Buffalo Regional Office of the New York State Assembly Minority Leader and Administrative Aide for New York State Assemblyman Steve Hawley. Manley earned a M.A. in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from the University at Albany and a B.S. from Niagara University. She is a resident of Albany, NY.
Kevin Knapp, Deputy Director of Communications
Knapp will assist in managing the Senator’s communications operation, particularly by applying significant multi-media production experience to a forward-thinking community engagement effort. Knapp most recently served as Community Relations Coordinator in the Department of Communications for Monroe County, NY.  Knapp relocated to the Rochester area in 1998 to accept a position at WROC-TV and was subsequently hired by WHEC-TV, where he worked alongside Funke in the newsroom for several years. Knapp earned a B.A. in Communications & Media Studies from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is a resident of the City of Rochester.