About the Mayor

Robert Michael Palmieri was elected Mayor of the City of Utica in 2011. Prior to being chosen Utica’s Chief Executive, Rob served his East Utica neighborhood as a Member of the Utica Common Council for fourteen years. He served as Weed and Seed Liaison, Deputy Public Safety Commissioner and Codes Commissioner.

Rob spent three decades working in the private sector before being elected to his first part-time position. Prior to entering public service, Rob was the Girls’ Basketball Coach at Notre Dame High School and a member of several not-for-profit community-based boards. He co-founded Cornhill Hoops and was a volunteer basketball official. Rob is a graduate of Thomas R. Proctor High School and Mohawk Valley Community College.

Rob’s achievements as Utica’s Weed and Seed Liaison earned him conspicuous recognition from the United States Department of Justice. His street sweeps of the city’s worst neighborhoods resulted in unprecedented levels of cooperation between the police and fire departments and Codes Enforcement officials.

The City of Utica has witnessed an economic and financial transformation during Rob’s tenure as Mayor. Rob inherited back to back million dollar deficit budgets, a negative outlook from the financial rating institutions and a negative fund balance. Under Rob’s leadership, Utica’s financial condition has vastly improved with back to back million dollar surpluses, an upgraded outlook and a fund balance that currently stands over $5 million dollars.

With the advent of Nano Utica, the development of the Utica Harbor, the arrival of the AHL Utica Comets and countless economic development projects in downtown, Utica is now a City on the rise.

Rob and Susan Palmieri have five grown children and 13 grandchildren. All live in the Utica area.

 "Here we grow again!" - Mayor Palmieri