City Manager

Mark L. Ryckman has served as City Manager since June 1997. As the City’s Chief Executive Officer under the council-manager form of government, he is responsible for advising the City Council on policy, overseeing all municipal operations, directing financial administration, leading collective bargaining negotiations, and ensuring effective service delivery across departments. He also serves as Director of Public Safety, providing executive oversight of the Police and Fire Departments and establishing policies, procedures, and operational standards.

Mr. Ryckman brings extensive experience in municipal finance, economic development, and organizational leadership. He has played a central role in the revitalization of Corning’s downtown, working in partnership with the private sector to strengthen retail recruitment and retention, promote mixed-use development and upper-floor housing, advance historic preservation initiatives, and enhance public spaces and parking systems.

At the national level, Mr. Ryckman is a recognized leader in public safety communications and broadband policy. He is a member of the Congressionally mandated Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), which oversees deployment of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Public Safety Spectrum Trust, the predecessor organization to FirstNet. He has also served on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Stakeholder Group for revisions to the National Response Plan and National Incident Management System, and on the DHS Video Quality in Public Safety (VQiPS) Leadership Team. Locally, he serves on the Steuben County 911 Advisory Committee.

Mr. Ryckman is actively engaged in state and national municipal policy. He is a Past President of the New York State City/County Management Association and serves on the International City/County Management Association’s Government Affairs and Policy Committee as a Co-Issue Leader for Public Safety and Homeland Security. He routinely speaks at the national level and authors articles in professional publication on local government management and public safety issues.

Prior to his appointment in Corning, Mr. Ryckman served as City Manager of Calais, Maine (1994–1997), where he strengthened municipal financial performance, implemented basic 911 service, and addressed cross-border public safety, water, and solid waste issues. He also served on the Washington County Budget Committee, including as Chair, and was appointed by Governor Angus S. King, Jr. to the Planning Committee establishing the Washington County Leadership Institute.

Mr. Ryckman holds a Bachelor's Degree in Public Management and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Maine. He is an ICMA-Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM) and a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) through ASIS International, the global standard for senior security management professionals. He has completed extensive executive-level training in homeland security, emergency management, and public safety communications, including national-level policy and operational engagement related to the National Incident Management System (NIMS), public safety broadband governance, and critical infrastructure resilience.

Department Head:
Mark L. Ryckman, City Manager

Phone:
607-962-0340 ext. 1112

Department Hours:
M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm