INSIGHTSBrian U. StrattonStandard & Poor’s. Also during his seven years as mayor, he worked with local leaders to attract more than $300 Director of Canals, million in new private investment in the City of Sche-nectady, creating and retaining more than 2,000 jobs. As Mayor, Stratton also served from 2009-2011 as Co-Chair New York State of the United States Conference of Mayors Water Council, leading mayors of more than 300 American cities in the Canal Corporationdiscussion and national policy formation of issues impact-Brian U. Stratton was appointed Director of the New ing how cities provide safe and affordable water and waste-water services. His numerous awards include the National York State Canal Corporation in April 2011, to oversee the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Distin-operation and development of New York’s 524-mile Canal guished Local Government Leadership Award in 2009 and System, including the historic Erie Canal. The canal sys-the AGA New York Chapter Outstanding Achievement tem, a historic system of waterways that dates back almost Award in 2008. Mr. Stratton received his Bachelor of Arts 200 years, was begun in 1817. Opened in its entirety in Degree from SUNY Oswego in 1980. Today, and as the 1825, the Erie Canal is widely considered the engineering chief executive of the New York Canal System, we work to marvel of the 19th Century. But the canal system spans ensure that commerce and recreation can exist side by side much more than the Erie Canal. It’s potential as an inland on the waterways and to improve infrastructure so that the marine highway is undeniable. Today, it attracts both rec-system can realize its full potential, not only to the state of reation and commerce to its waters.New York, but also to the nation’s intermodal system. In Stratton was appointed at the recommendation of Gov-August, we sat down with Stratton to discuss those efforts.ernor Andrew M. Cuomo, and serves as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet. Prior to joining the Canal Corpora-Give us a current situation report on the state of New tion Stratton was elected Mayor of the City of Schenectady York’s Canal System.in 2003, and re-elected to a second term in 2007. Dur-The New York State Canal System encompasses 524 ing his tenure, he successfully identi