Robert "Bob" Reynolds is one of a new breed of Legislators elected to serve Erie County for the 2006-2008 term. A life long resident of the South Towns, Bob explains that he decided to make the leap from private citizen to public servant for one essential reason. "As a result of the budget disaster and the related problems that we in Erie County have endured over the last two years, I felt it was important to restore a true sense of pride, leadership and integrity to both the Legislature and to our community. And now, as the newly elected legislative representative for the 12th District, I am dedicated to achieving those goals."
Bob's professional background includes 30 years as an employee of the Ford Motor Company, most of which he has spent as a Machine Repairman on the shop floor. Additionally Bob has served as a long time leader in the United Auto Workers Union, both of which uniquely qualify him to deal with the complex economic and political problems currently facing Erie County. Further, through his community involvement as a member of the Hamburg Central School Board, The Town of Hamburg Planning Board, The Hamburg United Council Taxpayer Association, and the Scranton/McKinley Taxpayer Association Bob is equipped with a well rounded ability to understand constituent's problems, concerns and needs.
"I believe that both my professional and volunteer work experiences have allowed me to develop the necessary problem solving and leadership skills needed to address problems in the 12th District, and across Erie County. And so I am able and ready to join with my legislative colleagues in undertaking the needed reform and revitalization to make Erie County a better place for ourselves, for our children, and future generations to come."
Bob, who has three daughters, lives in Hamburg with his wife, Diane, and their youngest daughter, Catherine. Diane is an active community volunteer, currently serving as the President of the Hamburg Central School PTA. Catherine is in her junior year at Hamburg High school, while Holly works in Albany and his oldest daughter Jennifer lives with her husband, Mike, in NJ.
During his first legislative term, Bob will serve as a member of the Public Safety, Government Affairs and Economic Development Legislative Committees. In addition, Bob also intends to spend a significant amount of time in the towns and villages that comprise the 12th district. "I want to continue to get out and meet the people that I represent; find out exactly what it is they need and want in their communities. I also look forward to providing my constituents with regular opportunities to meet with me and get to know me. I firmly believe that our ability to work together as a community is the only way that we can build a better quality of life in both our district and our county."
WORK EXPERIENCE
Erie County Legislature (2006 – Present)
- 12th District includes the towns of Boston, Brant, Eden, Evans, Hamburg, North Collins as well as the villages of Hamburg, N. Collins, & Angola.
- Erie County Legislature Finance & Management Committee Vice-Chairman
- Erie County Legislature Government Affairs Committee Member
- Erie County Legislature Health and Human Service Committee Member
- Erie County Legislature Economic Development Committee (06-08)
- Erie County Legislature Public Safety Committee (06-08)
- Erie County Legislature Community Enrichment Committee (06-08)
Ford Motor Company Buffalo, NY 14219 (1973 to 2007)
- Machine Repair Journeyman (1990 – 2007)
- Install, troubleshoot, and maintenance of all stamping and welding machines, including the pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
- Machine Repair Apprentice (1986 – 1990)
- Completed the New York State, UAW/Ford Motor Company - 8000 Hour Apprenticeship in Machine Repair
- Automation Tender Press and Welding Lines (1973 – 1986)
- Produce automobile parts on stamping and welding machines.
Gibraltar Steel Corporation (1983 – 1985)
- Production manager
- Manufactured snow plow and grader blades along with other related parts
United Auto Workers (UAW) Local Union 897 (1973 – 2007)
- Served a 4500 active and retired membership
- Vice President (2002 – 2007)
- Skilled Trade Representative (1990 – 2007)
- Grievance Handler (1992 – 1999)
- Editor of Local 897 Press (1996 – 1999)
COMMUNITY ACTIVES
Erie County Farmland Protection Board (2006 – Present)
- Chairman
- Oversee all 7 year review of the Agricultural Districts in Erie County
- Review and comment on matters that deal with each Agricultural District
- Working on "Right to Farm" laws for each township
- Assist in land conservation of Farm lands in Erie County
Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District (2006 – Present)
- Vice Chairman of Board
- Oversee all watershed areas in Erie County
- Review conservation measures in Erie County
- Work on pollution and conservation for agricultural areas
Cornell Cooperative Extension Board (2006 – Present)
- Legislative Appointed Board member
- Actively attend all board meetings and events that involve the organization
NYS Region 9 Open Space and Conservation Committee (2007 – Present)
- Board Member
- Oversee all watershed areas in the Western New York Counties
- Review conservation measures in Western New York Counties
Erie County Fishery Advisory Board (2008- Present)
Hamburg Central School District Board (2004 – 2007)
- Board Member
- Actively attended all board meetings and events that involve the organization
- Worked on budgets for school district
Hamburg Planning Board (2001 – 2004)
- Board Member
- Actively attended all board meetings
- Reviewed all new building plans for the town
- Reviewed all SEQ applications
EDUCATION
Buffalo State College Buffalo, NY 14222 (1990 – 2004)
- Majored in Industrial Technology
- Attended on a Part-Time Basis
Dale Carnegie Course Hamburg, NY 14075 (1993 - 1994)
- 4.2 Continuing Education Units
Erie Community College Buffalo, NY 14020 (1986 – 1989)
- UAW/Ford Machine Repair Apprenticeship
- Completed over 600 hours of technical courses
- Credited with 9 undergraduate hours
Buffalo State College Buffalo, NY 14222 (1974 – 1976)
- Majored in Elementary Education
- Completed 54 credit hours
Genesee Community College Batavia, NY 14020 (1972 – 1974)
- General Studies Associate of Science Degree
- Completed 60 credit hours
Frontier Central School Hamburg, NY 14075 (1959 – 1972)
BUFFALO STAMPING PLANT EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- Coordinator for UAW/Ford Apprenticeship Diversity Program
- Hourly Coordinator for "Working at Heights" Safety Training Program
- Hourly Coordinator of Ford Total Productive Maintenance Program including:
- Ford Total Productive Maintenance – "Basic Equipment Wellness" program
- Ford Total Productive Maintenance – "Hydraulic Press Maintenance" program
- Ford Total Productive Maintenance – "Six-Sigma Training" program
- Completed the 107th Air Refueling Group & 914th Airlift Wing – "Team Training" program
- Instructor for "GRASP a Safety Program" at Buffalo Stamping Plant
- Instructor for "Ergonomics Safety Program" at Buffalo Stamping Plan
- Attended the UAW/Ford National Education, Development & Training Center
- Completed the Harnischfeger Institute – "Crane Mechanical Maintenance Seminar" program
- Completed the "QS 9000 Internal Auditor Training" program
UNITED AUTO WORKERS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- Member of United Auto Workers Retirees Chapter (2007-Present)
- Elected Vice President of UAW Region 9 Skilled Trades (2002-2006)
- Elected Delegate for 33rd UAW National Convention (June of 2002)
- Elected National Skilled Trades Resolution Committee (3 years)
- Elected Skilled Trades Delegate for National UAW (12 years)
- Elected to UAW Local 897 Resolution Committee (15 years)
- Committee Chairman UAW Local 897 Resolution Committee (9 years)
- Member of UAW-LUPA Association (1996 – 1999)
- Instructor For "Union Awareness" UAW Local 897
- Committee Chairman for UAW Local 897 Labor Day Parade (4 years)
OTHER EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- Elected Zone Committee Person of the Democratic Party (1999 - Present)
- Member of Hamburg Central PTA (1994-Present)
- Worked on The Committee to Re-elect Assemblyman Dick Smith (6 years)
- Active member of Scranton/McKinley Taxpayers Association
- Vice President of Scranton/McKinley Taxpayers Association (1999-2006)
- Vice President of United Council Taxpayers Association (2000-2006)
- Member of Village of Hamburg Police Study group on "Who Does What Study" (2003)
- Regularly attend Hamburg School Board meetings
- Regularly attend Town & Village Board meetings within the 12th legislative district
- Preformed various coaching tenures throughout the Town of Hamburg since 1968
AWARDS RECEIVED
- 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series (Convention & Visitors Bureau) -- "2008 Distinguished Services Award"
- Hamburg Natural History Society – "2007 Recognition Award"
- Southtown's Association of Volunteer Firemen – "2007 Appreciation of Your Support Award"
- For effort in securing Rte 62 Bus Line -- "2007 Southtowns Coalition of Community Service Award"
- Erie County Farm Bureau -- "2007 Voice of Erie County Agriculture Award"
- Parent-Child Connection -- "2007Community Support Award"
- Southtown's Walleye Association of WNY -- "2006 Elected Official of the Year Award"
- NYS Congress of National PTA – "2005 Honorary Life Member Award"
- UAW Region 9 Community Action Program -- "2005 Political Award"
- UAW Region 9 Community Action Program – "2004 Citizenship Award"
- UAW/LUPA (Local Union Press Association) -- "1998 Journalistic Excellence Award"
