SUNY Board Promotes Michael C. Trunzo to Vice Chancellor

Albany – The State University of New York Board of Trustees unanimously voted to promote Michael C. Trunzo to the position of Vice Chancellor for Government Relations – System Administration.  The Board took this action at yesterday’s regularly scheduled meeting.  Previously, Mr. Trunzo was senior associate vice chancellor for university relations, overseeing federal, state and local governmental relations, communications and public relations. Mr. Trunzo will continue to oversee all university relations for SUNY System Administration.

SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Carl T. Hayden said, “Michael has been a most effective advocate for SUNY and has helped to advance the needs and accomplishments of the 64 SUNY campuses and with our 212 state Legislators, their staffs and I was very happy to see federal relations added to his portfolio.  Michael’s promotion is well earned and I congratulate him.”

Interim Chancellor Clark said, “Since joining SUNY in 2002 to lead state relations, Michael’s responsibilities have expanded to include federal relations.  Michael is very well regarded by our state and federal elected officials and their staffs and I was pleased to recommend his promotion.”

In this capacity, Mr. Trunzo serves as chief advisor to the chancellor and Board of Trustees for all state and local government issues and system-wide public relations.  He administers the University’s strategic plan relative to government and public relations, and oversees the following offices: Government Relations, Public Relations, and Design & Printing. 

He advises, develops, and leads University-wide efforts involving policy positions and advocacy strategies before the federal, state and local governments for the fiscal, legislative and regulatory needs of SUNY’s 64 campuses.  Mr. Trunzo coordinates the University’s external affairs including public relations, town-gown relations, marketing & communications, design graphics & publications, and the University web site.

Vice Chancellor Trunzo said, “I very much appreciate the confidence of the Board of Trustees and Interim Chancellor Clark.  I look forward to continuing SUNY’s efforts in communications and governmental affairs and to working more closely with the Board of Trustees.”

Mr. Trunzo recently re-established the SUNY Washington D.C. office and attracted an outstanding staff in order to better advocate for the universities needs while create new linkages to congress to better inform the federal government on our views on national policy effecting higher education. 

As head of state relations, Mr. Trunzo launched the SUNY Legislative Alumni Caucus, co-chaired by state Senator Joseph Robach and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt. The purpose of the caucus is to create a cohesiveness between SUNY alumni legislators and the University to reconnect them with their alma mater, and the University as a whole, to continue the dialogue that began when they were students, with the goal of providing a better understanding of role SUNY plays in public higher education through its educational offerings, research, and cultural and community interactions.

Prior to joining the State University of New York, Mr. Trunzo served the Empire State Petroleum Association, Inc., in Albany, as chief executive officer. 

Mr. Trunzo has extensive experience in state and local government.  He served as chief of staff to the New York State Lieutenant Governor and was executive assistant to New York State Senator Kemp Hannon of Garden City, NY. He has also held senior positions with the New York State Assembly and the Town of Islip.

Mr. Trunzo earned a B.A. in Political Science in 1982 and a Masters of Public Administration degree in 1985 from Long Island University – C.W. Post Campus, Greenvale, New York.

Mr. Trunzo will receive an annual salary of $180,000.

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 427,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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