Brian Kelley, Commissioner, Onondaga County Parks
Brian Kelley is the Commissioner of Onondaga County Parks serving the greater Syracuse metropolitan area and the surrounding suburbs. The parks, facilities and programs of this Department are diverse ranging from large, multi-use parks, a zoo, nature center, museums and historical facilities, large athletic complexes, including the NBT Bank Stadium which is home to the Triple A Syracuse Mets baseball team and concert venues like the Lakeview Amphitheater. Mr. Kelley has been with the Department since 2002 and has served as the Commissioner since 2020.
Prior to this he worked for New York State Parks as the Assistant Director for the Empire State Games and then at SUNY Oswego as the Coordinator for Intramural Sports. He graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Recreation and Tourism Management and a Masters degree in Public Administration from SUNY Oswego.
Penny Snell, Senior Vice President of Operations, YMCA of CNY
Penny Snell was born and raised just one hour south of Syracuse and is a Central New Yorker. Penny began her YMCA career over 25 years ago working at the Norwich Family YMCA. After serving as the Youth Director for 5 years Penny began work with YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley serving in positions of Branch Executive and Vice President of Programs. Penny then worked at YMCA Buffalo Niagara for over 15 years serving in several roles including the Vice President of Youth Development. In January of 2022, Penny joined the team at YMCA of Central New York. With her focus on Youth Development and Branch Operations, she had a few positions within the organization and is currently the Senior Vice President of Operations.
Tony Williams, Commissioner, City of Syracuse, Department of Parks, Recreation, & Youth Programs
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh appointed Tony Williams as Commissioner of Parks Recreation and Youth Programs for the City of Syracuse on August 30, 2023. Williams brought 12 years of facilities management and capital planning in government and non-profit recreation.
Williams assumed leadership of a city department that oversees 1,000 acres of parks, playgrounds, open spaces, and nearly 50 facilities in neighborhoods across the city. Parks Recreation and Youth Programs is comprised of 12 bureaus that also manage and support programs, activities, and events for youth, seniors, and people of all ages. The department has nearly 640 full-time and seasonal employees.
Prior to his role at the City of Syracuse, Williams was associate vice president of facilities and capital planning for the YMCA of Central New York since 2021, where he was responsible for building systems and maintenance as well as capital projects management for the Y’s seven major locations in Onondaga County. Prior to the YMCA, Williams worked for the Onondaga County Public Library System since 2011. He was the building maintenance supervisor where he led capital, maintenance, grounds, security, and fleet management for 11 county library locations. Additionally, Williams has a passion for health and fitness and previously worked as a personal trainer.
Williams attended Onondaga Community College and completed the Syracuse Entrepreneurship Bootcamp at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. He is a certified Facility Management Professional by the International Facilities Management Association.
In 2022, Williams graduated from FOCUS’ Citizens Academy Program.
Williams lives in the Outer Comstock neighborhood in Syracuse.