Former Albany County Executive Michael Breslin Joins AARP New York Executive Council

Will Serve on Volunteer Board Overseeing AARP’s New York State Office

ALBANY, N.Y. – Former Albany County Executive Michael G. Breslin has joined AARP New York’s Executive Council, a select group of AARP members from Long Island to Buffalo with exemplary leadership, record of service, and commitment to the goals of the Association.

In his role on the volunteer board, former County Executive Breslin will help shape AARP New York’s strategic priorities, build community partnerships with key decision makers and serve as a volunteer spokesperson for AARP in New York.

Mr. Breslin is an Albany County native and military veteran who served in the Vietnam War in the United States Army. He reflects on his service in recognition of Military Appreciation Month in this short video.

He served as Albany County Executive from 1995 through 2011.

In that post, he expanded support for seniors and individuals with disabilities wanting to remain in their community with a home- and community-based services model. He also implemented several shared services to work with municipalities aimed at making government work more efficiently.

“We’re thrilled to have Mike Breslin bring his great experience and reputation to AARP New York’s Executive Council,” said AARP New York State President Leo Asen, who chairs the Council. “Mike’s wise voice and steady leadership have made him an elder statesman in the Capitol Region and beyond.”

“Mike Breslin knows policy at the state and local level, he understands the needs of older New Yorkers, and he is both literally and figuratively battle-tested,” added AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “AARP New York will be counting on Mike to provide seasoned leadership.”

“I am a longtime AARP member,” Mr. Breslin said. “I know the urgency of their message and their advocacy on behalf of all seniors. I hope I can make a difference in helping AARP craft and communicate that message.”

As County Executive, Mr. Breslin brought people together to address the needs and the resources available for Albany County seniors.

“We worked to make our community more open and accessible by bringing government efforts together with private and not-for-profit agencies to coordinate the efforts of all in meeting the needs of seniors,” he said. “Seniors will need more advice and assistance than ever in this ominous Covid-19 environment. I hope to contribute in the formulation of the response.”

Mr. Breslin, who lives in the Albany suburb of Delmar, took office as County Executive on Jan. 1, 1995, after being appointed to fill a vacancy in late 1994. He was elected and then re-elected every four years from November 1995 to November 2007. He chose not to seek a fifth term.

Mr. Breslin said he was proud to make Albany County government “more open, professional, transparent and accountable.” He created the Department for Children, Youth and Families in 2001 to consolidate the delivery of services for at-risk children.

President of his graduating class at Vincentian Institute, Mr. Breslin was a three-sport varsity athlete, and recipient of the Thom McAn Award as the outstanding scholastic football player in the area.

Mr. Breslin was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1957, where he played intercollegiate football, basketball and baseball, and graduated in the top quarter of his class.

Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. After completing Airborne and Ranger schools, he served three years in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he was platoon leader and infantry company commander. He later served a year in Vietnam where he was an infantry company commander in the 4th Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged in 1969 as a Major. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantry Badge.

He graduated the University of Toledo Law School, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and graduated first in his class in 1971. He was an attorney in private practice for more than 20 years, first with the firm of DeGraff, Foy, Conway, Holt-Harris and Mealey, and for more than a decade with his brothers Neil and Tom in the firm Breslin, Breslin and Breslin.

New York State Senator Neil Breslin, Mr. Breslin’s brother, represents parts of Albany and Rensselaer counties, and his brother Tom is a State Supreme Court Justice.

Mr. Breslin’s community service includes more than 20 years on the board of Hospitality House, a residential drug treatment facility, 13 years as attorney to Saint Anne Institute, a facility for adolescent girls, seven years on the board of LaSalle School for Boys and more than 10 years of coaching community youth baseball and softball teams.

He was a member of the Albany County Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Committee.

He served on the service academy nominating committees for former United States Representatives Sam Stratton and Michael McNulty for more than 25 years.

He is also a member of the Joseph E Zaloga Post 1520 American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Tri-County Vietnam Veterans.

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

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AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

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