PJ Wendel - Interim Chautauqua County Executive

 

PJ entered SUNY Brockport in the fall of 1988, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education.  He was a four-year Varsity letter winner in wrestling for the nationally ranked Brockport Golden Eagles. A two-time NCAA qualifier and eventual All – American his senior year, he captained the team that finished with the schools fifth NCAA Division III National Championship

 

While attending Brockport, PJ joined the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department, where he continues to serve the village 31 years later.  While a member of the fire department, he became an EMT in 1995, and he continues to maintain his EMT certification.  During his 31 years as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT, he has held the ranks of Assistant Lieutenant, Lieutenant, Assistant Captain, and Assistant Chief.  PJ has also been the Vice-President and President of the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Company, the business division of the fire department.  In 2019, PJ was selected EMS Provider of the year, and in 2019 as well, he was inducted into the Brockport Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

Returning to Chautauqua County, PJ began to substitute at Southwestern, Jamestown and Falconer school districts.  He began his coaching career at Jamestown as an assistant for the wrestling team.  In 1999, he was hired as a long term substitute in Girls Physical Education and Introduction to Computers at Fredonia Central School.  In 2000, PJ was hired at Falconer Central School as a Boys Physical Education Teacher where he worked for the last 19 years.  

 

In 2004, PJ received a Master’s of Sport Studies with a concentration in Exercise Science from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama.  He also received a Master’s of Education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, graduating Summa Cum Laude in Educational Leadership.

 

PJ began his career in local government when he was elected as a Trustee for the Village of Lakewood in 2007.  He served the village for five years while serving his final two years as Deputy Mayor.  While a Village Trustee, he also served on the Parks and Public Safety Committees.

 

In 2011, PJ began a run for County Legislator in what was then District 18, he was sworn in to the Legislature in 2012.  During his eight years, PJ served on the Administrative Services Committee, Audit and Control Committee, and was a four-year chairman of the Public Safety Committee.  He also was selected as Assistant Majority leader in 2014 then moving to the Majority leader in 2016.  He was also unanimously elected as Chairman of the Legislature in 2018 and again in 2019.  During his time on the legislature, PJ has been involved in the budget process, an integral proponent for the life-saving Chautauqua County Fly Car System, as well as a Co – Chair of the Community Justice Council, and a member of the EMS Council and Fire Advisory Board.  

 

On January 3, 2020, PJ became the first Chautauqua County Executive to be appointed by the County Legislature, when he was selected to fill part of the remaining term of the former county executive.
As county executive, he is dedicated to serving the residents of Chautauqua County as he focuses on establishing a structurally balanced budget for county operations; promoting and preserving the health of our lakes and waterways; and increasing economic growth, workforce readiness, travel and tourism throughout the County.

 

He was also appointed to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee in 2020. The committee provides guidance, expertise and recommendations to the FCC on a range of telecommunication issues affecting local state and Tribal governments that are within its jurisdiction. Wendel is one of only three county officials nationwide to be selected to serve on this committee and is the only representative from New York State. While on the committee, he will be a voice for the unserved and underserved rural areas and hopes to help bring broadband opportunities to Chautauqua County and Western New York.  

 

PJ also has been an active member of the Chautauqua County Republican Party since 2007. He serves as the Chairman of the Town of Busti Republican Committee, where he has actively circulated petitions for the past eight years.  PJ also has been an active member of the Candidate Support Committee, Chairman’s Club, and County wide dinner committee.  

 

PJ lives in Lakewood with his wife of 18 years, Jennifer and their two children--Sydney 18, who was our Rotary  exchange student to Prague, Czech  Republic; and Bohdan, 13, an 8th grader at Southwestern.     

 

PJ began his talk by thanking the Club and its members for their support of his daughter Sydney, our Exchange Student to the Czech Republic last year. Unfortunately, Sydney’s exchange year was cut short by the Covid pandemic. He commented on how much self-sufficiency here exchange taught her. She will soon head for a study term abroad in Spain.

 

PJ was an assistant principal at Temple School in Falconer, when he was approached to take over as interim County Executive. After talking it over with his wife, he decided “if not me – who? If when, why not now?” And so he jumped into the role.

 

THEN CAME MARCH 15 AND COVID! He and his staff worked hard to set up protocols and lead business and industry and residents through the nightmare. PJ also devoted himself to figuring out how to continue County business without danger to employees. The County offered furloughs to employees, so they could remain on their insurance policies, but remain home as employees. The county budget was reduced by $5.1 million. This reduction in the budget has made it possible for him to offer this year’s very lean budget.

 

While paring down expenses due to Covid, PJ and his staff were determined to continue developing the county. The future opening of Athenex with more than 500 employees should be a tremendous boon to our economy, but he doesn’t want to lose sight of the 50-100 employee or less businesses that we need to continue successfully as well. He is determined to foster ALL economic growth in the county with the leadership of Rich Dixon and Mark Geist. The EDA has given the County’s Altech loan fun another $10.5 million  to foster continued economic growth, due to the County’s past success.

 

After recently touring other successful wineries, PJ is committed to continuing to promote the growth and success of County wineries.

 

PJ is determined to see a successful bipartisan UNITY OF EFFORT to foster the continued protection of the health of Chautauqua Lake which benefits all of us not just one political party.

 

This year’s election is for a one year term for PJ and then he will have to stand for an election for a 2 year term before getting back onto normal four year terms.

 

Greg Jones asked how he has arrived at a budget for next year and PJ said he and his staff Kitty and Kathleen, are fantastic at financial planning and they have all have been cautiously optimistic. They are determined NOT to use any of the fund balance for next year’s budget and there is no federal assistance included.

 

PJ commented that Vince gave him a great piece of advice and that was turn off your phone at 9pm and get a good night’s sleep. The next day will bring new challenges.