Kent Drake-Deese, a dedicated leader with a diverse background and a passion for service. Kent grew up in Cranbury, NJ, and Russell, NY, before attending St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in education administration. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and spent 32 years working in higher education, recently retiring as a Dean of Students. Now, he resides in Endicott, NY, with his wife Jennifer and their golden retriever Wanda, enjoying the empty nest life while their two sons live in Texas and Ireland.

Currently, Kent is the Director of Personnel and Safety for the City of Binghamton, a position he has held for two years. He also oversees Civil Service in this role. Although he’s still getting acclimated to the Binghamton area, Kent plans to connect with the community by coaching basketball, something he has done for over 30 years.

When it comes to achievements, Kent takes pride in having successfully navigated his first two years as a Director of Personnel in a small-medium municipality without prior experience in government or personnel management. This accomplishment stands as a testament to his adaptability and leadership.

Kent’s most valuable skills stem from his ability to remain calm in extreme situations and his commitment to listening more than speaking. His advice for newcomers to civil service is simple but powerful: be a good listener, exercise patience, and provide support and firmness in equal measure.

Outside of work, Kent enjoys traveling, cooking, eating, sports, and golf. When asked what change he would implement in the civil service system, he emphasized the need for quicker exam result turnarounds and a process that accounts for individuals who may not excel at test-taking but still thrive in their jobs.

Kent’s wealth of experience, coupled with his thoughtful leadership, makes him an asset to the City of Binghamton and the community at large.