Lima Town Supervisor Mike Falk, middle, was recently named chair of the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council. Falk succeeds former G/FLRPC Chair Rochelle Stein, left, and at right is G/FLRPC Executive Director Rich Sutherland. Photo by Travis Clark
The Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC) has elected Lima Town Supervisor Mike Falk as the organization’s new chair.
The G/FLRPC is a regional planning agency serving nine counties located throughout the Finger Lakes, including Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates. The council provides professional planning and economic development services, helps communities secure funding, and promotes collaboration on shared regional challenges.
Falk has served as a voting member of the G/FLRPC since January 2020, representing Livingston County. In his new role as chair, he aims to raise awareness of the council’s services among local governments.
“I plan to market the organization to all the member municipalities as a place to go for quality assistance with planning, training, grants and New York state and federal programs,” said Falk. “Local officials have their plates full all the time. We occasionally need someone on our team to let us know what is possible, to smooth out the rough edges, and show us the way to success. G/FLRPC is that team member.”
Livingston County Planning Director Megan Crowe serves alongside Falk on the G/FLRPC. She said it can be complicated balancing the unique needs, priorities and perspectives of each member county. Falk’s appointment as chair brings solid leadership to an organization that thrives on collaboration and consensus.
“As a regional group representing nine counties, it can be difficult to bring that many voices together around shared challenges,” she explained. “Supervisor Falk has a strong understanding of local government needs and a collaborative leadership style that make him an excellent choice to lead such a large and diverse organization.”
Falk will serve as G/FLRPC chair for a one-year term. During that time, he will help shape regional strategies to support development and long-term resilience. He sees training, access to grant opportunities, and shared learning as essential components of regional progress.
“It is a competitive environment here in New York state,” said Falk. “If we choose not to compete, we do not maintain our position, we fall backward. Training, grants, sharing of successes and failures, as a region we can help each other move forward together.”
For more information, visit the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council website or call 585-454-9628.
