Today at the historic Larkin at Exchange Building, Erie County Comptroller-Elect Mark C. Poloncarz announced his incoming management team for the Office of Comptroller. “I am pleased to announce my appointments of senior staff in the Office of Erie County Comptroller,” said Poloncarz. “These appointments reflect my commitment to the taxpayers of Erie County to serve as their independent monitor of the County’s finances, as well as to make Erie County government more efficient and prevent or stop waste, fraud or abuse.”

Poloncarz named Gregory G. Gach to the position of Deputy Comptroller. Gach, a resident of Lancaster who currently serves in the Office of Comptroller as Director of Grant Accounting Services, has more than 20 years experience in public sector finance, serving in key roles in the Office of Comptroller, Division of Budget, Management and Finance, Erie County Legislature and Erie Community College.

“I have selected Greg Gach as my principal Deputy Comptroller due to his extensive and wide-ranging experience in municipal finance, budgeting and accounting,” said Poloncarz. “Greg brings to the table impressive credentials, including a degree in accounting, a MBA, and many years of budget and finance work, including three and a half years as Controller at ECC. He comes highly recommended by those who have worked with him in the past and will be a tremendous asset to the office. I am delighted that he will serve as my principal deputy,” Poloncarz stated.

Poloncarz named Michael R. Szukala to the position of Deputy Comptroller - Audit. Szukala, a Buffalo resident, is currently Supervising Auditor for the City of Buffalo Comptroller’s Office. Szukala has more than 16 years experience in municipal accounting and auditing, which includes serving as an accountant, auditor, programmer and system administrator, bond registrar, director of revenues, and now supervising auditor in the City of Buffalo.

“I have selected Mike Szukala to serve as Deputy Comptroller for Audit due to his far-reaching experience as a municipal auditor and his strong credentials. Michael has an accounting degree and a MBA, and is a Certified Internal Auditor who has performed and supervised the performance of financial, management and performance based audits. Additionally, he has significant expertise in programming and systems administration, skills that will prove invaluable with the continued implementation of the County’s SAP-enterprise resource planning system. I am pleased that he is part of my team,” said Poloncarz.

Poloncarz noted that he has yet to make a decision concerning two additional appointments in the Office of Comptroller: the position of Associate Deputy Comptroller responsible for cash management and borrowings, and the position of Secretary to the Comptroller. He stated he will make decisions concerning those positions following the end of the ongoing competitive search process.

The Comptroller-elect noted that his transition to the office has gone well. He has met with Interim Comptroller James Hartman and existing senior staff for briefings and discussions, and that he has met many of the staff in the office. Poloncarz said, “I am deeply impressed with the professionalism and skill of the staff in the office, and of their commitment to serving our community and I know we will work well together on behalf of our county.”

Poloncarz concluded, “I look forward to taking office starting January 1st and serving the residents of Erie County as their independent watchdog.”