Kathleen M. Jimino

Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen M. Jimino was the fourth of six children born to Sophia and John Madden. She was raised on the east side of Troy, and currently lives in Lansingburgh with husband Vince and their two children, Jessica and Julia.

Kathy was educated at Catholic Central High School and Siena College, from where she graduated cum laude, and is currently studying for her master's degree in Social Policy at Empire State College.

After graduating from Siena, Kathy went to work for Rensselaer County in the Data Processing Department where she held several positions prior to being named commissioner of that department.

Soon thereafter, she served as the City of Troy's Budget Director and later City Manager. In acknowledgement of her service during her tenure, she was awarded the Frank C. Moore Award for her Leadership and dedication in managing the City of Troy during a period of major fiscal crisis.

After running for Mayor of the City of Troy in 1995 and losing by only 119 votes despite an overwhelming party enrollment disadvantage, Kathy served as a Principal Analyst for the New York State Senate Finance Committee, and three years later was named Assistant Director of the Office of Budget Studies.

In 1997, she again tossed her hat into the political ring when she accepted an appointment and subsequently ran for the Rensselaer County Legislature. This time, despite again being outnumbered politically, the result was dramatically different, as she finished second out of fifteen candidates to secure an at large seat. She quickly made her mark in the Legislature, as she chaired the Aging Committee as well as a special committee that targeted the tobacco prevention funding in the County.

In 2001, Kathleen Jimino became the only woman in New York State to currently serve as County Executive when she was appointed to this position. Six months later the voters of Rensselaer County approved her appointment by electing her by the largest margin ever afforded any Rensselaer County Executive in history!

To date her administration is known for its consistent drive to assure that County residents benefit from the streamlining of services while at the same emphasizing that departments adhere to her strict budgetary standards. Additionally, the County administration under her guidance is steadfastly dedicated to the prevention of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse. She is also noted for her aggressiveness in advocating new businesses in the County.