Press Release

Social Services Commissioner McMahon Pursuing New Opportunity

Search for Replacement in Progress; Thomas Lippie Tapped as Interim Commissioner

FONDA, NY – County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort announced today that Department of Social Services Commissioner Michael McMahon will be vacating his position with Montgomery County to pursue a new opportunity.

McMahon began his career with the county in 2011.

“I want to thank Commissioner McMahon for his dedication and commitment to the people of Montgomery County,” County Executive Ossenfort said. “Mike was focused on building a successful team and was a determined leader, who also placed a priority on listening to his employees in an effort to help the department get stronger.”

McMahon was appointed Commissioner of Social Services, by the former county Board of Supervisors, in 2011, twice being reappointed by County Executive Ossenfort to 5-year terms, in 2016 and most recently, last year. Deputy Commissioner Thomas Lippie will serve as interim commissioner, while the process to replace McMahon is underway.

McMahon is proud of his tenure with the county, some highlights of which include reorganizing the department to better serve the public, changing the public image of social services and engaging with local groups to reduce homelessness.

“Some of the things I’m proudest of are the collaborative work with other key stakeholders in the county, such as Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Liberty ARC, Catholic Charities, St. Mary’s Hospital and the Office for Aging,” McMahon said. “The department really shined in its response to flooding in both 2011 and 2013. Social services actually deployed and set up shop in Fort Plain and in Amsterdam. We were one of the first to be on the ground, taking applications for relief and that was new for us, at that time, to operate outside of Fonda and the team really met the challenge and were successful in helping.”

McMahon credited County Executive Ossenfort and the County Legislature for prioritizing county issues, team building, developing staff and listening to the needs of county departments, while crafting a vision forward. 

McMahon, who currently serves as the mayor of the Village of Ames, in Montgomery County, was raised in Dutchess County, served 22 years in the United State Navy, as a Chief Corpsman with the United States Marine Crops, prior to joining the private sector as a leadership developer for a global transportation company.

McMahon, who has been nominated for a similar position in Rensselaer County, has four grown children and his eight grandchildren reside in coastal North Carolina.

“I believe I am going out on a high note,” McMahon said. “I’m going to miss the people I’ve worked with for so many years.”

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