Chris Collins

Erie County Executive

The residents of Erie County elected Chris Collins as the seventh Erie County Executive on November 6, 2007.  A businessman with 35 years of private sector experience, Collins won with 64 percent of the vote. 

As County Executive, Collins is focused on his Three Rs - Reforming Erie County government, Rebuilding the local economy, and ultimately, Reducing taxes.  Collins is committed to running Erie County like a business, making it more effective, efficient and responsive to hardworking taxpayers.  Lean Six Sigma is the administration's key reform initiative. 

In addition to driving efficiency and reducing waste, Lean Six Sigma is empowering county employees to suggest changes to their work process.  Since 2008, Lean Six Sigma projects have generated a total savings of approximately $15 million.

Over the last ten years, Collins has purchased and invested in approximately 20 distressed manufacturing companies.  Working with the management teams, Collins has helped turn these companies into profitable, successful businesses. These companies currently have over 600 employees, including 500 in Western New York, with annual sales in excess of $80 million.

Before turning his attention to restructuring distressed businesses, Collins founded Niagara Falls based industrial gear manufacturer Nuttall Gear Corporation in 1983, purchasing the assets of the Westinghouse Gear Division.  The County Executive began his professional career with Westinghouse Electric in 1972.   

Collins is active in the community, volunteering extensively with the Greater Niagara Frontier Council Boy Scouts of America.  He also formed the Brighter Future Fund, donating his county salary to deserving local non-profit organizations.

Collins received a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1972 and an MBA from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1975.

The County Executive is married and has three children and two grandchildren. He and his wife, Mary, live in Clarence, New York