Mark J.F. Schroeder

DMV Commissioner & GTSC Chair

Mark J.F. Schroeder was nominated by former Governor Andrew Cuomo to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in January of 2019. In that role, he also serves as Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. He previously served as the elected comptroller of the City of Buffalo from January 2012 until his appointment to DMV, and has also previously served as a member of the Erie County Legislature and New York State Assembly.

Prior to his years of public service, Commissioner Schroeder spent 25 years in the private sector, including serving as vice president of two large corporations.

As a public servant, Mr. Schroeder has earned a reputation as someone his constituents turn to when they have a problem, whether it be minor or major. During his time in the Assembly, Mr. Schroeder authored "Amanda's Law," which requires carbon monoxide detectors in all homes. The law was named after a teen in his district, Amanda Hansen, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while at a sleepover at a friend's house. He also sponsored legislation banning text messaging while driving and a law safeguarding children from sexual predators. Mr. Schroeder served as the chairman of the Assembly Subcommittee on Autism, and created an inclusive panel of mental health professionals, autism advocates and concerned parents with the mission of providing better care for those afflicted with the disorder.

In his first term as Buffalo Comptroller, the city’s chief fiscal officer, Mr. Schroeder refinanced old debt, saving taxpayers more than $62 million. Under his fiscal management, Buffalo has received "Straight A" bond ratings from the three major credit rating agencies. He used these ratings in the bond market to borrow funds and refinance debt at the lowest interest rates in the City's history.

A lifelong Buffalo resident, Commissioner Schroeder and his wife, Kate Horan Schroeder, have three children – Michael, Allison and the late Matthew Schroeder.  He is the proud grandfather of Lily and Marlee.

The New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) coordinates traffic safety activities in the state and shares useful, timely information about traffic safety and the state's highway safety grant program.

The Committee is comprised of thirteen agencies who have missions related to transportation and safety. The GTSC is chaired by the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles and acts as the state's official liaison with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Committee membership is established by executive order to include agencies with programs that are highway safety related. Currently, there are thirteen (13) member agencies. The head of each agency acts as the agency's official representative to the Committee, with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles serving as the Chair.

The Committee meets as requested by the Chair. Discussion at the meetings may include legislative coordination, program briefings, goal setting, or any other issues the members feel should be included.

The Committee Member Agencies are:

• Chair, Commissioner, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
• Superintendent, Division of State Police (DSP)
• Commissioner, Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)
• Commissioner, Department of Health (DOH)
• Commissioner, State Education Department (SED)
• Commissioner, Department of Transportation (DOT)
• Secretary, Department of State (DOS)
• Commissioner, Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
• Superintendent, Department of Financial Services
• Chair, NYS Thruway Authority
• Chair, State Liquor Authority (SLA)

Also participating – The Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Director of State Office for the Aging have been asked to participate in the Committee but these agencies are not listed in the Executive Order. 

Information and photos taken from the site: trafficsafety.ny.gov
Photo taken from the site: www.ny.gov/agencies