Prominent government advocate leaves UB for law firm

When Janet Penksa moved on to a job with an Albany law firm last week, she took with her deep connections within the New York State government.

What she's left here is groundwork from some of the most effective government-university programs in recent UB history.

Though her position leaves an empty desk in the fifth floor of Capen Hall, her departure does not necessarily leave UB's government advocacy abilities in a lurch, according to those who worked with her.

Penksa, in her position as associate vice president of university services and director of government affairs, had a big hand in attracting government money for the recent construction of the bioinformatics center at Roswell Park.

"Janet directed our state and federal affairs office, promoting positive influence on UB initiatives," said Ryan McPherson, assistant vice president for government affairs. "(That office) was largely responsible state and federal money for the Center for Excellence in Bioinformatics. She was the leader of that team."

Penksa helped direct approximately $77 million in federal and state funds to the center, but her work also helped attract new money for the first phase of construction for a new School of Engineering building and the money for a proposed School of Pharmacy building on South Campus.

During her seven-year tenure, Penksa was also appointed to the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority, not because of her success at UB, but for her experience as one of the top legislative staffers in New York. Penksa served as chief state budget negotiator, a position where she helped shape the state's budget before it went to a vote in the State Assembly.

Her position with the Assembly put her in connection with top state officials from Alan Hevesi up to George Pataki, connections that may have helped her as an advocate for UB.

"I wouldn't call her a lobbyist, because she wasn't a contract money hunter," McPherson said. "She was a great asset to the university as head of advocacy at the state level, but she also did things on the local level."

While she may not have been exactly a lobbyist at UB, it's no secret Penksa has been hired by one of the most renowned lobbyist firms in Albany, Hinman Straub.

While her full-time job will take her to Albany, Penksa said she would maintain her seat on the control board, along with maintaining her residence in Erie County, according to a Nov. 29 Buffalo News report.

A Dec. 2 editorial in The News called for Penksa to step down from her post on the board, but thus far, she is still a member.

As for filling in for her absence, McPherson said UB administration is currently figuring out who, what and even if Penksa's seat needs to be filled.

"We have a capable team to continue efforts, but we'll be looking at our needs on a global scale to see where we'll go next," he said.

He added that Penksa's influence won't be completely gone.

"I will still call her up for advice from time to time. She's got so much experience and skill that could help," he said.