Michael P. Hein
Encyclopedia
Michael P. Hein is the 1st and current County Executive of Ulster County, having been elected on November 4, 2008. Prior to the creation of this position, the 2008 ratification by referendum of the Ulster County Charter, he was the Ulster County Administrator.
. During his childhood, Hein attended school in the New Paltz school system. He attended Eckerd College
in St. Petersburg, Florida, thus becoming the first in his family to attend college. In 1987, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a special emphasis in Management from Eckerd College
.
In 1999 Hein became the Bank Manager at Fleet Bank in Kingston, New York
. During his time as Bank Manager, he coordinated the Ulster County Small Business Development Center.
Although the County Administrator reported to the Ulster County Legislature, the County Administrator was responsible for the day to day operation of Ulster County and oversaw over 2000 employees. These responsibilities are now under the purview of the County Executive.
As County Executive, Hein reduced the cost of government by delivering over $6 million of spending cuts through an attrition plan and contractual reductions in 2009, renegotiating the lease on Family Court building, reducing the county workforce by 100 positions, and joining the Municipal Electric and Gas Association (MEGA) consortium. Hein notably provided a 0% tax increase for 2011, due in large part to his successful “Taxpayer First” initiative enacted in 2010.
Hein has led by implementing in-house management training programs, instituting a comprehensive fleet management program, introducing an automated “time and attendance” technology to establish a new level of government accountability, and addressing the issue of nepotism with Executive Order No. 1 of 2010
Hein has supported local business by launching the “Credit for Success” program, initiating a “buy local” campaign, assisting businesses to remain in Ulster County and directing that permitting and review take place at the speed of business.
Hein has made County government more business-friendly by allocating over $27 million for public infrastructure and transit projects in Ulster County, providing 300 summer youth employment positions, and creating the “Ulster Tomorrow,” economic development plan for Ulster County.
County Executive Hein has increased the promotion of Ulster County by initiating a new web-based branding and marketing campaign for Ulster County Tourism, launching UlsterCountyAlive.com and creating a satellite tourism office at the County Office Building.
Hein has also worked to move Ulster County toward being the healthiest county in the state by launching the “Healthy Ulster” initiative, overhauling Ulster County Public Health Department, reshaping the Ulster County Board of Health, Hiring Dr. Lamar Hasbrouck to implement the “Healthy Ulster” initiative, naming Dr. Debra Karnasiewicz as a special advisor to the Executive to assist with “Healthy Ulster, and initiating the “Healthy Steps to Albany” challenge in four middle schools.
On Tuesday January 12, 2010, after 97 days of contaminated releases into the Esopus Creek, County Executive Hein announced Ulster County’s intentions to file a law suit against New York City DEP. After enlisting the help of the New York State Department of Conservation and the New York State Attorney General’s office, Hein brought an end to these releases and forced New York City DEP to pay for an independent damage assessment in order to evaluate the impact of their actions.
Early life, education and career
Michael P. Hein was raised by his parents on their farm in Esopus, New YorkEsopus, New York
Esopus is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 9,331 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the local Indian tribe and means "high banks."...
. During his childhood, Hein attended school in the New Paltz school system. He attended Eckerd College
Eckerd College
Eckerd College is a private 4-year coeducational liberal arts college at the southernmost tip of St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.- Campus :...
in St. Petersburg, Florida, thus becoming the first in his family to attend college. In 1987, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a special emphasis in Management from Eckerd College
Eckerd College
Eckerd College is a private 4-year coeducational liberal arts college at the southernmost tip of St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.- Campus :...
.
In 1999 Hein became the Bank Manager at Fleet Bank in Kingston, New York
Kingston, New York
Kingston is a city in and the county seat of Ulster County, New York, USA. It is north of New York City and south of Albany. It became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British Oct. 16, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga...
. During his time as Bank Manager, he coordinated the Ulster County Small Business Development Center.
Deputy Treasurer
In 2003, Hein became the Deputy Treasurer of Ulster County. In this capacity, he managed all aspects of the Ulster County Treasurer’s Office. Notable accomplishments during this time include the design and implementation of an overhaul of the Capitol Projects Policies and Procedures.County Administrator
Michael P. Hein was appointed as County Administrator of Ulster County in 2006.Although the County Administrator reported to the Ulster County Legislature, the County Administrator was responsible for the day to day operation of Ulster County and oversaw over 2000 employees. These responsibilities are now under the purview of the County Executive.
County Executive
In 2006, Ulster County voters approved the first-ever county charter. With this came the creation of the elected position of County Executive. In 2008, Hein, then County Administrator, was elected to this position and in January 2009 he began his first term as County Executive.As County Executive, Hein reduced the cost of government by delivering over $6 million of spending cuts through an attrition plan and contractual reductions in 2009, renegotiating the lease on Family Court building, reducing the county workforce by 100 positions, and joining the Municipal Electric and Gas Association (MEGA) consortium. Hein notably provided a 0% tax increase for 2011, due in large part to his successful “Taxpayer First” initiative enacted in 2010.
Hein has led by implementing in-house management training programs, instituting a comprehensive fleet management program, introducing an automated “time and attendance” technology to establish a new level of government accountability, and addressing the issue of nepotism with Executive Order No. 1 of 2010
Hein has supported local business by launching the “Credit for Success” program, initiating a “buy local” campaign, assisting businesses to remain in Ulster County and directing that permitting and review take place at the speed of business.
Hein has made County government more business-friendly by allocating over $27 million for public infrastructure and transit projects in Ulster County, providing 300 summer youth employment positions, and creating the “Ulster Tomorrow,” economic development plan for Ulster County.
County Executive Hein has increased the promotion of Ulster County by initiating a new web-based branding and marketing campaign for Ulster County Tourism, launching UlsterCountyAlive.com and creating a satellite tourism office at the County Office Building.
Hein has also worked to move Ulster County toward being the healthiest county in the state by launching the “Healthy Ulster” initiative, overhauling Ulster County Public Health Department, reshaping the Ulster County Board of Health, Hiring Dr. Lamar Hasbrouck to implement the “Healthy Ulster” initiative, naming Dr. Debra Karnasiewicz as a special advisor to the Executive to assist with “Healthy Ulster, and initiating the “Healthy Steps to Albany” challenge in four middle schools.
Environmental Initiatives
In the fall of 2010, the New York City Department of Environment Protection began releasing turbid water from the Ashokan Reservoir via a waste channel which feeds into Ulster County’s Esopus Creek. The Esopus Creek became contaminated with turbid water causing major problems to local farmers and residents as well as potentially damaging the aquatic ecosystem. This action by the agency which oversees the watershed feeding New York City’s drinking water drew the attention of environmental groups and Ulster County residents, as well as that of County Executive Hein and many other local leaders.On Tuesday January 12, 2010, after 97 days of contaminated releases into the Esopus Creek, County Executive Hein announced Ulster County’s intentions to file a law suit against New York City DEP. After enlisting the help of the New York State Department of Conservation and the New York State Attorney General’s office, Hein brought an end to these releases and forced New York City DEP to pay for an independent damage assessment in order to evaluate the impact of their actions.
Recognition
County Executive Hein was selected by Governor David Paterson to be the county government appointment the New York State Workforce Investment Board. County Executive Hein was elected by his peers from around the state to serve as the 2011 First Vice President of the New York State County Executive’s Association, a position that provides an even greater opportunity to advocate to Albany for the interests of county governments. Additionally, the County Executive serves on the New York State Association of County’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of New York Farming.External links
- County Executive Mike Hein Official County Government Site
- Ulster County Alive