Dennis H. Gabryszak

Biography

Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak represents the 143rd Assembly District, which includes the Town of Cheektowaga, the Town of Lancaster and the Villages of Depew, Lancaster and Sloan. He was elected to the Assembly in November, 2006. He won the seat previously held by Majority Leader Paul D. Tokasz, who retired.

Dennis learned early in life from his father, a former town justice, that public service meant honesty and integrity.

From 1975 to 1987, as an Assistant Vice President for Citicorp Services Inc., he was responsible for the supervision of four professional and sixty-eight (68) clerical staff that processed money orders and travelers’ checks with a daily value in excess of a hundred million dollars. Dennis was responsible for preparing and reviewing budgets, project management, personnel supervision and customer relations. From 1987 to 1993, Dennis worked at the Erie County Clerk’s Office where he served as the Deputy Erie County Clerk overseeing the Auto Bureau.

Dennis has an extensive resume of local government experience. He was elected as a Trustee to the Village of Depew Board in 1981, was then elected as a Councilman for the Cheektowaga Town Board in 1984, and he served as Cheektowaga Town Supervisor from 1993 to 2006 after the resignation of Frank E. Swiatek and was re-elected to three subsequent terms. Having served in that position for thirteen years, Dennis was instrumental in gaining national recognition for the Town’s financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), secured the highest municipal bond rating in Western New York that saved residents approximately $100,000 annually, pushed for a community policing reorganization model for the Police Department, was instrumental in the construction of the Losson Road Library, and spearheaded the construction of the Town’s golf course – Diamond Hawk.

As Cheektowaga Town Supervisor, Dennis prided himself on running an open government and responsive government. When he first took office, Dennis implemented the public comment period at the Town Board Meetings so residents could have a voice in government. In addition, Dennis tried many other ways to establish a dialogue with residents including holding focus groups and the “Table at Tops” program, where he met regularly with residents at the supermarket to discuss their concerns. Other actions that Dennis took to be responsive to constituent concerns include streamlining the building permit process and devising a five year financial plan.

Dennis fought to keep taxes stable in Cheektowaga and will continue to work to turn Erie County’s economy around. He supports “Unshackle Upstate,” a program promoting economic development that encourages business expansion to attract young professionals and their families.

Dennis studied business management at the University at Buffalo, business administration at Erie Community College and attended Bishop Ryan High School in Buffalo, NY. Dennis has been married for 32 years to his wife Louise and has two children, Brian and Jennifer.