As Marbletown Supervisor Rich Parete prepares to take on his new role as Commissioner of the Ulster County Department of Public Works (DPW), he believes his varied professional and public service experience has given him the skills needed for the job.

Former DPW Commissioner Brendan Masterson was terminated on September 25. Shortly afterward, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger reached out to Parete, and a conversation between the two became a turning point.

“Jen had reached out. We spoke about it,” Parete recalled. “I was just honored when the County Executive asked me if I was interested in this job.”

The DPW commissioner oversees a $41 million operating budget, ten field stations, and more than 200 employees. The department's responsibilities include roads, public facilities, and a wide range of safety protocols. The Capital Improvement Program, with its infrastructure projects planned over the next six years, will also be a major focus.

“Bridges, buildings, the rail trail up in Shandaken – that’s all stuff that will come under the public works department,” Parete said. “Operations and safety. I know DPW.”

Parete believes his experience in government, sports, and hands-on professions has prepared him for the planning, management, and leadership demands of the position.

Field Experience at Verizon

For just under 24 years, Parete worked as a field technician at Verizon, gaining experience in fiber optics and Fios telecommunications. A union member, he also served as a Safety Officer. He believes that background will be particularly valuable in a job that involves managing a mobile workforce and overseeing numerous outdoor operations.

In a statement, County Executive Metzger noted, “He knows how to build strong working relationships with everyone from frontline staff to the Legislature to the Executive’s office.”

Parete is accustomed to working with equipment, vehicles, and crews in the field, and wants employees to know that he understands their work firsthand.

“The County has roughly 400 vehicles. I’ve worked on roads. It’ll let employees know that I’m not just somebody who’s preaching it. I actually have done it,” he said.

Lessons from Wrestling

Defense, positioning, and stamina are important on the wrestling mat, but Parete sees lessons from the sport that extend well beyond athletics. Reflecting on his years as a competitor and coach, he emphasized the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and leadership.

“Relate with people. Work with people,” he said. “You’re not done until the job is done. There's no punching in and out on a clock. Wrestling teaches you that you have to go over and above.”

Having competed and coached on the mats at Rondout Valley and Syracuse, Parete also sees sports as an important part of building character.

“I wrestled with some really talented people. You learn about leaders,” he said.

Legislature and Marbletown Supervisor

Parete's experience in public service began long before he became Marbletown's supervisor. He served eight terms in the Ulster County Legislature, beginning in 2002, during the era of multi-member districts. He remembers the importance of grassroots campaigning and connecting directly with voters.

“I ran with my brother and Pete Kraft. I would campaign from morning until night,” he recalled.

During his time in the Legislature, Parete participated in 16 county budgets. While the role focused on developing and amending legislation, he believes that familiarity with county government will give him an advantage as he steps into DPW leadership.

“It will definitely give me a leg up from somebody who never worked for the County before,” he said.

Parete has served as Marbletown Town Supervisor since 2018. His approach to campaigning and public service remains grounded in personal connections.

“If you need 4,000 votes to win, you’ve got to shake 8,000 hands,” he said.

Among the initiatives and challenges during his time as supervisor were the COVID-19 emergency, aging infrastructure, demographic shifts, and traffic concerns along Routes 209 and 213. He also pointed to the Marbletown Community Center's successful $1.31 million BRICKS grant award as a significant accomplishment.

Parete served on the Reimagining SUNY Ulster Committee and was impressed by the people involved in the effort.

“I was on the Reimagining SUNY Ulster Committee. I was just impressed with how smart they are and how talented they are. It’s an honor to be a part of that team,” he said.

Despite the challenges and accomplishments, Parete says he has genuinely enjoyed his time as supervisor.

“I love this job, and honestly thought that this was going to be my last job,” he said.

His direct communication style has been a familiar presence at Town Board meetings, where public comment sessions have sometimes featured lively exchanges.

The transition to county government will also mean adjusting to a different management structure. As supervisor, Parete has had considerable direct oversight of town operations. The DPW, by contrast, has a more layered organizational structure.

“It’s a lot different than the Town because in the Town, I manage pretty much everyone on the general side,” he said. As commissioner, he will work within a hierarchy that includes “deputies, commissioners and management further down the line.”

A Look Ahead

Parete is looking forward to the department's broader responsibilities, which extend well beyond roads and bridges.

“It’s not just roads and bridges,” he said, pointing to projects such as the five-mile rail trail connecting Shandaken and Belleayre Mountain.

He is also confident in the working relationships he has developed with county leadership through his involvement with the Supervisors and Mayors Association.

“At my role on the Supervisor’s and Mayor’s association, I’ve worked closely with County Executive Metzger and her staff Jamie and Amanda, and I’ve always been impressed by how dedicated they are and how well they operate. We have a big responsibility delivering services. They’ve always supported us on projects.”

A Syracuse graduate with a bachelor's degree in retail management and marketing, Parete brings a varied professional background to the position. He has worked at the Boiceville Inn, established by his parents, and served as director of the Catskill Watershed Corporation. Across these roles, he says, building relationships and communicating effectively have been essential.

As he prepares to take over DPW, Parete's first priority will be getting to know the people and operations within the department.

“I want to meet the different employees: deputy commissioners from each division, spend time and understand everything they do,” he said.

Parete is scheduled to be appointed interim commissioner on November 17, with his appointment as commissioner expected one month later.

His final Marbletown Town Board meeting as supervisor is scheduled for November 16, and his new role with the county begins November 18.