City Manager

Mark L. Ryckman has served as City Manager of the City of Corning, New York, 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 matters, overseeing municipal operations, directing financial administration, leading collective bargaining negotiations, and ensuring the effective delivery of public services. He also serves as Director of Public Safety, providing executive oversight of the Police and Fire Departments and establishing operational policies, procedures, and standards.

Mr. Ryckman has extensive experience in municipal finance, organizational leadership, economic development, and public safety administration. During his tenure, he has played a significant role in the continued revitalization of downtown Corning through public-private partnerships focused on retail recruitment and retention, mixed-use development, upper-floor housing, historic preservation, parking systems, and public infrastructure improvements.

At the national level, Mr. Ryckman is recognized for his work in public safety communications, broadband policy, and critical infrastructure resilience. He serves on the Congressionally mandated Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and is a member of the PSAC Executive Committee. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Public Safety Spectrum Trust, the predecessor organization responsible for advancing the vision that ultimately became FirstNet.

Mr. Ryckman has also served on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Stakeholder Group involved in revisions to the National Response Framework and the National Incident Management System (NIMS), as well as on the DHS Video Quality in Public Safety (VQiPS) Leadership Team. Locally, he serves on the Steuben County 911 Advisory Committee.

He remains actively engaged in municipal policy and professional leadership at both the state and national levels. Mr. Ryckman 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 Co-Issue Leader for Public Safety and Homeland Security. He regularly speaks at national conferences and has authored articles in professional publications on local government management, public safety, emergency communications, and technology policy.

Prior to his appointment in Corning, Mr. Ryckman served as City Manager of Calais, Maine, from 1994 to 1997. During his tenure, he strengthened municipal financial operations, implemented basic 911 service, and addressed cross-border public safety, water, and solid waste management 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 that established 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 leading professional certification for senior security and risk management professionals.

Department Head:
Mark L. Ryckman, City Manager

Phone:
607-962-0340 ext. 1112

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