Barbara Fiala, now a member of the SUNY Broome Board of Trustees
The SUNY Broome College Board of Trustees welcomes a new member: Barbara J. Fiala, a college alumna with a long career of public service. On Aug. 3, Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointed Fiala to a vacant position on the Board of Trustees for a term expiring on June 30, 2025.
“We are honored to have Barbara Fiala join our Board of Trustees and we thank Gov. Cuomo for this auspicious appointment. Not only does Barbara have a long and distinguished career in public service, she is also a SUNY Broome alumna who knows firsthand the quality of the college,” said SUNY Broome President Kevin E. Drumm. “Her background as a political leader at both county and state levels and also in economic development is especially welcome as the college helps to build our local economy. She will be an added asset to our distinguished list of board members. Once again we thank Gov. Cuomo for this strong appointment.”
A native of Broome County, Fiala has more than three decades of experience in public service, starting in 1981 when she served as an office supervisor in the Broome County Department of Motor Vehicles. She was also a trailblazer, as the first woman ever elected Broome County Clerk in 1997 and the first woman to become Broome County Executive in 2004.
She was re-elected and served as executive until 2011, when Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointed her the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. She served in that office until the end of 2014.
“I am honored to receive this appointment from Gov. Andrew Cuomo to the Board of Trustees of SUNY Broome. I hold great personal and professional appreciation for the commitment that the college has through the years to our community,” Fiala said. “As County Executive, I worked with the college on securing funding for a new master plan, resulting many enhancement to the campus. Under the leadership of Dr. Drumm, the campus now has a residence hall and is transforming the former Broome County Library into a new Culinary Arts Center in downtown Binghamton.
“I look forward to this new opportunity. I am humble by the confidence that has been placed upon me to continue to serve my community.”
Fiala also has served as a board member of the New York State Association of Counties, president of the New York State Association of County Executives a member of the County Executives of America board, vice chair of the Broome County Industrial Development Agency Board and a committee member of the National Association of Counties’ Community and Economic Steering Committee. She is also a proud member of the Sons of Italy of America.
A 1980 graduate of SUNY Broome, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Binghamton University. She resides in Binghamton with her husband.
“The Board of Trustees welcomes Barbara Fiala to our ranks. Her expertise will certainly be a welcome addition to board,” said Board Chairman Marc Newman. “We are delighted with the governor’s choice and we will continue to support this great institution.”
