John L. Buono, Chairman,
Thruway Board of Directors

John L. Buono is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Thruway Authority and its subsidiary, the New York State Canal Corporation. He was nominated to the post by Governor George E. Pataki and confirmed by the New York State Senate on June 20, 2002. His term will expire on January 1, 2011.

Mr. Buono was named president of Hudson Valley Community College in 1998. It was a homecoming of sorts for the city of Rensselaer native, who graduated in 1968 from Hudson Valley Community College before earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University at Albany. Mr. Buono retired from Hudson Valley Community College on December 31, 2003.

Mr. Buono has made a career of public service. Following a two-year period in which he served as an administrator and teacher at St. Agnes School in Loudonville, he served in the mid-70’s as Commissioner of Employment and Training for Rensselaer County, overseeing vocational and job skills training programs. From there, he was appointed Deputy County Executive.

He was elected Rensselaer County Clerk in 1978, and he held that position until deciding in 1985 to run for Rensselaer County Executive. Mr. Buono served as Rensselaer County Executive from 1986 to 1995, and during that time he helped streamline county government and maintain excellent bond ratings. He was frequently at the forefront of consolidation and regionalization efforts, and actively lobbied on behalf of the county at the state and national levels.

In 1995, Governor Pataki appointed Mr. Buono to direct the New York State Dormitory Authority. As one of the largest municipal bond issuers and public construction agencies in the country, the Dormitory Authority has a combined portfolio of outstanding bonds totaling more than $24 billion.

Mr. Buono spent three years as executive director of the Authority. During that time, he worked to consolidate two other agencies – The Medical Care Facilities Finance Agency and the Facilities Development Corporation – into the Dormitory Authority. This reduced the size and cost of the three agencies, while also providing one-stop service for project financing and construction.

In 1998, Mr. Buono was asked to assume the presidency of Hudson Valley Community College. He worked to expand the college's role in the Capital Region and actively sought out collaborative initiatives with local businesses and civic organizations.

Mr. Buono has been honored on numerous occasions. Among other honors, he received the Troy Good Scout Award from the Twin Rivers Council of the Boys Scouts of America, the President ’s Award from the Urban League of Northeastern New York, the Distinguished Alumni Award from SUNY Rockefeller Institute, the National Association of Counties Achievement Award, and the SUNY Golden Anniversary Chancellor’s Recognition Award.

Mr. Buono and his wife, Roberta ("Bobbie"), have two children, Christine and Nicholas.

For more information, read the Chairman's welcome message.

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E. Virgil Conway, Thruway Board of Directors

E. Virgil Conway was first confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation Boards in December 2006. His first term expired on January 1, 2008. Mr. Conway was reconfirmed by the New York State Senate on June 18, 2008; his current term will expire on January 1, 2017.

A financial consultant and corporate director for more than 50 years, Mr. Conway had served most recently as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).  The MTA serves as the umbrella organization for the various agencies that operate the public transportation systems in the 14-county metropolitan New York area. 

Prior to serving as MTA’s Chairman, Mr. Conway served as the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council Chairman from 1992-1995; from 1968-1988, Mr. Conway served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director of The Seaman’s Bank for Savings, PSB.

Mr. Conway received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York and his LLB from Yale University Law School in New Haven, Connecticut. He resides in Bronxville, New York with his wife, Elaine.

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Erin M. Crotty, Vice Chair

Erin M. Crotty was nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board in June 2006. Since June 2008, Ms. Crotty has served as the Director of Community Relations at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Her term expired on June 13, 2009.

From 2005 to 2008, Ms. Crotty led a consultancy, The Crotty Group, that assisted corporations in identifying and executing sustainable market growth strategies and aided governments and non-governmental organizations in the development and advocacy of innovative solutions to complex public and social challenges. Ms. Crotty also taught corporate social responsibility at RPI's Lally School of Management and Technology. From 2001 to 2005, Ms. Crotty was the first woman to lead the Department of Environmental Conservation. As Commissioner, she led a professional staff of over 3,300 and managed an annual budget of approximately $1 billion. From the mid-1990s to 2001, Ms. Crotty held various positions in the public and private sectors focused on environmental and energy issues. A graduate of Russell Sage College (B.A. in political science) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (M.S. in urban and environmental studies), Erin also serves on the board of trustees of Emma Willard School.

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Richard N. Simberg, Thruway Board of Directors

Richard N. Simberg was nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation Boards on June 3, 2009. His term will expire on September 14, 2017.

Mr. Simberg’s extensive experience in transportation and bridge operations, capital construction and maintenance throughout New York State will greatly benefit the Authority/Corporation.

Prior to retirement, Mr. Simberg was Assistant Commissioner for Engineering and Chief Engineer at the New York State Department of Transportation; responsible for all engineering activities throughout New York State for the 12,000-employee department, its consultants and contractors.  He assumed the position to strengthen the State’s bridge safety assurance program, overseeing the development and implementation of a statewide bridge reconstruction priority system and maintained design and reconstruction supervision of long span bridges throughout the State, including the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg and Queensboro bridges.  Since retirement, Mr. Simberg has remained active in engineering education and professional ethics, and has consulted with the City of Alexandria, Virginia, on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Mr. Simberg received a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from Clarkson University and a Master of Civil Engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

He resides in Oneida, New York.

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Brandon R. Sall, Thruway Board of Directors

Brandon R. Sall was nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board in June 2008. Mr. Sall will serve in a term that expires on January 1, 2014.

Mr. Sall, a partner at Schuman Sall & Geist (White Plains, NY), Schuman & Sall (White Plains, NY), and Gellert & Rodner (White Plains, NY), specializes in real estate law, trusts and estates, tax certiorari, litigation, and transactional work representing numerous businesses and individual parties.

Mr. Sall’s vast experience with real estate law and knowledge of the process involved with land transactions will benefit the Authority/Corporation during complex real property negotiations, as well as land sales and leases.

With more than 22 years of experience, prior to becoming partner at the abovementioned law firms, Mr. Sall has practiced law at the Law Offices of Brandon R. Sall (1991-1992), Rothschild, Esposito, Himmelfarb, Sher & Pearl (1988-1990), and Jacobs, Sieratski & Zinns (1986-1988).

Admitted to the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida Bars, Mr. Sall is also a member of the New York State Bar Association and has lectured on estate administration for the New York State Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education program.

Mr. Sall received his B.B.A from the University of Miami in Miami, Florida, and attended the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, New York. He resides in Rye, New York.

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Donna J. Luh, Thruway Board of Directors

Donna J. Luh was nominated by the Governor, and confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation Boards in June 2008. Ms. Luh will serve in a term that expires on June 22, 2017.

Ms. Luh’s extensive experience in budget analysis, planning and community affairs will greatly benefit the Authority/Corporation.

Ms. Luh is currently the owner of Luh Consulting Services, an organization that serves as liaison between the public and private sector. Luh Consulting Services provides public participation facilitation, project coordination, governmental affairs, community relations and a host of other client services.

Prior to founding Luh Consulting, Ms. Luh served as the Airport Project Coordinator for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority in Buffalo, New York, from 1989-1996.

Additionally, she is the co-creator of the successful Peer Review Group of airport executives from across the nation. The Peer Review Group has been featured in a number of aviation trade magazines.

Ms. Luh also serves on the Board of Directors of the Cheektowaga Economic Development Corporation.

Ms. Luh received her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science in Education Administration from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. She resides in Depew, New York. She has two adult sons.

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All Board members, including the Chairman, are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate. The members of the Board receive no salary in connection with the performance of their duties. Vacancies in the Board occurring other than by expiration of the term are filled for the unexpired term in the same manner. Pursuant to the Public Officers Law, members of the Board whose terms have expired continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.

Michael R. Fleischer, Esq., Executive Director
New York State Thruway Authority

Michael R. Fleischer has served as Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation since April 2003.

Mr. Fleischer is the Chief Operating Officer of the 570-mile Thruway and the 524-mile Canal System. Combined, the two transportation entities employ more than 3,500 people and generate nearly $600 million in tolls annually. As Executive Director, Mr. Fleischer oversees the day-to-day operations of the Authority while directly reporting to a Board of Directors consisting of seven members appointed by the Governor of New York State, with the advice and consent of the New York State Senate.

The Thruway is the largest toll superhighway system in the United States. In addition to the 570-miles of centerline roadway, the Thruway has jurisdiction over 807 bridges, including the Tappan Zee Bridge which is used by nearly 150,000 vehicles per day. The 524-mile Canal System includes 57 locks and 16 lift bridges. The Authority has an annual budget of over $1 billion, including $400 million in operating and $600 million capital and equipment expenses.

Under Mr. Fleischer’s leadership, the Authority’s efforts are focused on preserving the Thruway’s infrastructure, E-ZPass improvements and enhanced customer service, while implementing operational efficiencies at the Authority. Under Mr. Fleischer’s tenure, the Authority has adopted a multi-year capital improvement program to preserve the Thruway’s road and bridge conditions and maintain the high levels of safety and service on the Thruway, while also initiating various customer service improvements.

The Multi-Year Capital Plan will result in improved highway connections while providing for the construction of new highway-speed E-ZPass lanes, along with additional higher-speed and dedicated E-ZPass lanes. These projects will improve mobility, reduce congestion and result in enhanced service for Thruway customers.

In January 2007, the Authority opened the first highway speed E-ZPass lanes along the New York State Thruway at the Spring Valley Toll Barrier, allowing commercial E-ZPass customers to drive through the area at highway speeds. Only commercial vehicles pay tolls at Spring Valley. Additionally, construction began in early March 2007 to improve operations at the existing Woodbury Toll Barrier by introducing the use of Highway Speed E-ZPass for both passenger and commercial vehicles. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009.

Also under Mr. Fleischer’s tenure, the Authority has initiated a number of customer service improvements. The Thruway Regional Advisory Network System (TRANSystem) provides customers with real-time traffic, weather, construction and emergency information through synchronized media, designed to afford the customer the ability to make educated decisions on travel routes. Updated travel information is available through the use of a toll-free number, the Authority’s website, Highway Advisory Radio, Dynamic Message Signs, and through TRANSAlert, the Authority’s free, electronic communication service which informs customers of major unscheduled incidents that may affect their travel along the Thruway via email and/or text messaging. The TRANSAlert email service will also be used to disseminate real-time AMBER Alerts to promptly alert motorists of child abduction cases, when needed.

In March 2007, the Authority announced free Wireless Internet Service (Wi-Fi) access at all 27 Thruway Travel Plazas located along the 641 mile superhighway. The Wi-Fi system provides free Internet access to customers who visit the Travel Plazas with Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Other initiatives implemented under Mr. Fleischer’s direction are improved signage and lane delineations at toll plazas, more higher-speed (20 mph) E-ZPass lanes at a number of locations systemwide, and the implementation of E-ZPass On-the-Go, a program that allows travelers to purchase E-ZPass tags at retail establishments and Thruway Travel Plazas.

The Thruway is the principal artery of travel and commerce within New York connecting the State’s principal cities, and it is a vital link to long distance interstate travel. In addition, the Thruway provides the major route of access for visitors to the State’s tourist magnets including Niagara Falls, the State Canal System, the Finger Lakes, the Adirondacks, the Catskills and New York City. Along the Thruway are 27 service areas providing restaurant-style food options, fuel and tourist information.

In 1992 and 1993, legislation was adopted which, among other things, created and transferred jurisdiction of the State Canal System to a subsidiary corporation of the Authority and authorized the Authority to assist in or finance the development of certain projects.

Prior to joining the Authority/Corporation, Mr. Fleischer served as First Deputy Commissioner for the NYS Department of Transportation, where he was directly responsible for the development and implementation of the Department’s $1.65 billion highway and bridge program, as well as the Department’s $4 billion annual budget.

Mr. Fleischer received a Bachelor's Degree in Government from Hamilton College in 1988; he received his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Western New England College’s School of Law in May 2006; and was admitted to the Bar of the State of New York in January 2007. He resides in East Greenbush, NY, with his wife, Alicia and their five children.

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