ABOUT THE CEO: NORMAN JONES

ROOTED IN ROCHESTER

Norman Jones is a lifelong Rochesterian who, along with his brothers Marvin and Mitchell, made waves on the basketball court at East High School—earning them the local moniker “the Jones Boys.” His passion for excellence, forged through athletic discipline, laid the groundwork for an impactful career in public service.

From Recreation Leader to Recycling Trailblazer

After attending school at the University of Buffalo, Norman joined the City of Rochester in various recreation roles—interning, managing rinks, and working as a summer site director. His devotion to community well-being soon led him to the Department of Environmental Services in 1985. Within three years, he became the city’s Recycling Coordinator, tasked with growing a small pilot program into a citywide, state-compliant initiative. Through careful planning, training, and outreach, Norman:

Expanded the recycling program from 15% city participation to full coverage
Oversaw the transition to mandatory recycling in 1993
Developed specifications for Rochester’s signature blue recycling boxes
Created effective material marketing and revenue-tracking strategies
Introduced “material give-back” programs for wood chips and compost

Leading Building Services & Energy Innovation

In 1995, Norman took charge of more than 205 city buildings—encompassing 10 million square feet—with a staff of over 125. Responsible for everything from HVAC systems to carpentry, he modernized municipal facilities through energy-saving measures:

Installed Rochester’s first solar panels on the Winton Branch Library
Converted city lighting from incandescent to fluorescent and later to LED
Oversaw green roof installations and permeable pavements
Completed over $80 million in building projects, including the city’s first LEED-certified building and enhancements to the local sports stadium

Oversight of Operations & Public Works

By 2012, Norman was the Director of Operations, overseeing snow removal for 860 miles of sidewalks and 587 lane miles, citywide street maintenance, forestry management of 90,000 trees, and

solid waste and recycling services. He also managed a fleet of more than 1,000 vehicles—from police cars to snowplows—ensuring reliable service and optimal efficiency.

Commissioner of Environmental Services

Appointed Commissioner in 2014, Norman had oversight of multiple bureaus: Architecture & Engineering, Water, Fleet, Operations, Security, and Buildings & Parks. Leading over 800 employees with a $170 million budget, he championed projects and programs that reshaped Rochester’s landscape:

Multimodal Transportation
- Expanded Rochester’s bike infrastructure with 100+ miles of bicycle lanes and boulevards
- Advanced pedestrian-friendly initiatives to improve citywide mobility and accessibility
Street Lighting & Energy Savings
- Spearheaded the purchase of Rochester’s street lighting from RG&E
- Converted thousands of streetlights to LED technology, saving approximately $500,000 annually
- Improved public safety while reducing the city’s carbon footprint
Sustainability & Green Initiatives
- Launched single-stream recycling and kitchen compost programs to increase waste diversion rates
- Installed 24 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations citywide
- Acquired 25 EVs for the city’s fleet to reduce emissions and lower fuel costs
- Constructed a 2MW solar farm on reclaimed land, turning an old landfill into a green energy source
Major Capital Projects
- Stabilized the Blue Cross Arena and modernized the Rundel Library
- Advanced Inner Loop redevelopment to reconnect neighborhoods and spur growth
- Improved waterfront infrastructure through projects like Erie Harbor Promenade and West River Wall
- Championed inclusive community assets such as La Marketa and the city’s first skatepark