Nick Paro has a law degree from Syracuse University College of Law, a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, and an associate’s degree from Onondaga Community College. But before Nick went to college, he gained real world experience by opening a rent-to-own store just outside of Pittsburgh, PA when he was 21 years old. Waking up well before the sun rose, Nick drove from Pittsburgh to Youngstown, OH to fill a box truck up with furniture and appliances. He would drive back to Pittsburgh and unload it before he worked the rest of the day either delivering furniture to customers’ homes, selling items at the store, or following up on accounts. In fact, the store was so successful that Nick and his partners opened a second location before Nick decided to sell his share of the business and move back to Liverpool.
Nick wanted to get involved in his home community, to make a difference in the place where he grew up. After Nick graduated, he landed his first job working in the Onondaga County Legislature as a legislative aide and then a legislative analyst. Nick worked under now County Executive Ryan McMahon for 2 years and gained incredible knowledge on how local government works and how to make government effective for the community.
While working in the Legislature Nick also started a not-for-profit organization, Together Now, Inc., with the vision to provide high school students, between the ages of sixteen and eighteen years of age, with paid summer internships. The organization’s Emerging Leaders Summer Internship Program included a weekly personal and professional development workshop rooted in the spirit of entrepreneurship and personal growth with the end goal of providing life changing skills, experiences, and connections to future leaders of our community.
In 2019 Nick was appointed, and then ran for election, as the Salina 1st Ward Councilor. Nick learned the issues of the town and listened to feedback from constituents on how they envisioned the town progressing into the future. In 2021 Nick was elected as the Town Supervisor, and he was re-elected in 2023 for a second term.
In addition to his work in local government, Nick was appointed in 2018 to serve as a member of the Onondaga County Justice Center Oversight Committee (JCOC). The JCOC consisted of a panel of community members authorized to review serious complaints and incidents that involve the Onondaga County Jail. The Committee is also authorized to generate related recommendations about Justice Center policy, procedure, and training. The Justice Center Oversight Committee transmits its recommendations to the Sheriff, the County Executive, and to key leaders of the County Legislature, to prevent future incidents within the Justice Center.
In 2022 Nick was appointed to the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. The members of the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority bring extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of business, finance, management, education, communication, government, and public relations. The Airport Authority was established to operate the Syracuse Hancock International Airport and to foster the development of safe, secure, and efficient aviation services at the Airport and in the Upstate New York Region. The Authority is committed to promoting the growth and success of the Syracuse Hancock International Airport by providing fiscal responsibility, regional marketing, and job creation in the aviation industry, and those industries that support aviation.
In 2022 Nick was also appointed to the Onondaga County Community Development Steering Committee. The Community Development Steering Committee assists the County in formulating and implementing community development programs and to make recommendations to the County relating to the distribution of funds.
And finally, in 2022 as well, Nick was appointed to the Resolutions Committee for the Association of Towns of the State of New York. The Resolutions Committee assists the Executive Committee in developing and communicating the Association’s policy and positions on legislative issues. The committee reviews and considers resolutions for consideration of the Association of Towns Legislative Platform.
Nick believes that together, we can bring freedom and justice back to the state of New York. We will keep our communities safe and help them thrive. Together, we will work to save our jobs and revive local business, making living easier and more affordable. And, together, we will elevate the priorities of Central New Yorkers above the greed of downstate bureaucrats.