People news: OCWA names director of communications & government affairs

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — OCWA – Central New York’s Water Authority announced it has hired Tiffany Latino-Gerlock as director of communications & government affairs.

In this role, which she started Jan. 24, Latino-Gerlock will develop and implement OCWA’s public-affairs initiatives including press communications and customer-focused projects, such as newsletters, website/social media posts, and public outreach materials. She also will work on legislative opportunities that relate to OCWA and meet regularly with elected leaders who represent key stakeholders.

Prior to joining OCWA, Latino-Gerlock served as director of government relations & communications for MACNY – The Manufacturers Association of Central New York. She also previously served as a communications director for the New York State Senate and as a local radio and television news reporter.

“We are very excited to have Tiffany join the OCWA Team. She will bring experience and energy to the role and serve as an effective communicator to keep the community informed about updates and information regarding OCWA,” Jeffrey Brown, OCWA executive director, said in a release.

Latino-Gerlock is a lifelong resident of Central New York. She grew up in Oswego County and currently lives in Clay. She is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

OCWA was established by the state legislature in 1951 and currently serves 500,000 residents in Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Cayuga, and Oneida counties. The Authority is among the 125 largest public-drinking water systems in the country, operating two major water-treatment facilities, more than 2,150 miles of main, over 13,300 fire hydrants, 61 storage facilities, and 47 pump stations.