O'Connor Public Affairs, LLC

Thomas J. O’Connor is an accomplished government, le​gislative and public affairs expert with over three decades of experience in high-level positions in New York State government and the private sector. Tom is currently the Vice President for Government Relations at the Capital Region Chamber and is a registered lobbyist. Prior to joining the Chamber, he founded and was the president of a public affairs firm.

 

Tom concluded his state service in August 2009 serving as Assistant Chief Executive Officer of the State Liquor Authority (Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control). Tom also served as Deputy Commissioner for Government Affairs at the State Liquor Authority from 2006 to 2007.  Prior to his service at the State Liquor Authority, Tom served as Assistant Commissioner for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Environmental Conservation, Director of the State Human Resources Management Directorate Division of Military & Naval Affairs, and Director of Legislative Affairs at the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance. Tom also served in high-level legislative staff positions for eleven years in the New York State Senate.

 

Tom received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany and a Master of Public Administration degree from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy. He is a member of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and sits on the board of directors of The Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care.