Mayor-Elect Stephanie A. Miner today announced that John Cowin will serve as Deputy Mayor in her administration. Cowin is the former chief of the Syracuse Fire Department. “In his eight years as chief, the Fire Department became known for its
customer service-based approach to helping Syracuse residents,” Miner said. “I want to bring that same approach to all departments of city government and I know John will be an effective leader in implementing these customer service principles across departments.” Cowin will oversee the City’s operating departments, including the Police
Department, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Parks,
Recreation & Youth Programming, the Department of Engineering, the
Department of Water, the Department of Aviation, the Department of Community Development, the Department of Economic Development and the Fire Department. “I am honored by and excited about this opportunity to work with the
Mayor-Elect because I know she will bring real change to city government,”
Cowin said. **
Cowin served 31 years as a firefighter for the Syracuse Fire Department. He
is on the board of directors for the Onondaga/Oswego chapter of the American Red Cross, the Everson Museum of Art and the Onondaga Historical Association. Cowin received two Syracuse Fire Department Medals of Honor,
the Francis Hendricks Medal and the Syracuse Fire Officer’s Valor Award
during his tenure as a firefighter.