Senate Resolution No. 1358

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING Executive Director Patrick J.
Becher upon the occasion of his retirement after 28
years of distinguished service to the Mohawk Valley
Water Authority

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those
individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Executive Director Patrick J. Becher upon the occasion of
his retirement after 28 years of distinguished service to the Mohawk
Valley Water Authority; and

WHEREAS, When the Mohawk Valley Water Authority (MVWA) was
established in 1996, Patrick J. Becher was the Director of Budget and
Management for the City of Syracuse for more than a decade and seeking
the next chapter in his career; in September 1997, he was afforded the
opportunity to join MVWA; and

WHEREAS, That chapter turned into a 28-year journey with MVWA,
leading a team that would develop, operate, maintain, and improve the
Mohawk Valley water distribution system, supporting economic development
and providing residents with cost-effective, reliable, and high-quality
drinking water for life; and

WHEREAS, Nearly three decades later, on Wednesday, December 31,
2025, Patrick J. Becher is retiring as MVWA's first and only Executive
Director after building a strong legacy of progressive water supply
stewardship and thoughtful water supply user advocacy; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure, Patrick J. Becher brought talented
professionals to operate the Authority, including a Chief Financial
Officer (CFO), human resources, administration, and customer service
personnel; and

WHEREAS, Some of Patrick J. Becher's accomplishments were the
utilization of technology to improve MVWA's operations, the
implementation of a new geographic information system (GIS), workflow
management systems, and hastening the process of replacing outdated
infrastructure; additionally, he worked to implement additional fiscal
management practices and sustainability planning; and

WHEREAS, More than $85 million of capital improvements were
conducted, including the construction of six new tanks, the switch to
carbon filtration, and numerous rehabilitation and replacement projects
on water mains, pumping stations, and broken valves, under the
leadership of Patrick J. Becher; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his 28-year tenure and exemplary service,
Patrick J. Becher has served in several capacities, including his
position as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mohawk Valley

Economic Development Growth Enterprises Corporation (EDGE) for 22 years,
serving as Treasurer for the last five years; and

WHEREAS, Patrick J. Becher served on the Board of Directors for the
Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce for fourteen years, including two
years as Chairman and six years chairing the Government Affairs Council;
he was also an early member of the Genesis Group and served on their
board for 16 years with three of those years as Chair; he has been a
tremendous asset to the Authority and the entire area through his
tireless commitment to serving his community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Executive Director Patrick J. Becher upon the occasion of
his retirement after 28 years of distinguished service to the Mohawk
Valley Water Authority; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Executive Director Patrick J. Becher.