Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz today joined various county officials, community colleagues and government employees in wishing farewell to Marie A. Cannon on her final day of work as commissioner of the Erie County Department of Social Services.
Cannon is leaving county government after recently being hired as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Organization of Western New York. She becomes just the fifth person – and the first woman – to lead CAO of WNY when she starts working at the organization later this month.
“I wish Marie all the best as she embarks on the next chapter in her professional life with CAO of WNY,” said Poloncarz. “I am confident her dedication to serving the community will continue in her new role.”
Cannon, who served as commissioner of the Department of Social Services since March 2018, has worked in the field of health and human services for the past three decades. Her most recent role with Erie County saw her oversee the largest department in county government, an entity with a $618 million budget that serves an estimated 27,000 people per month through the work of approximately 1,6000 county employees.
Under Cannon’s leadership, the Department of Social Services undertook a comprehensive approach to combating poverty in our community through the Live Well Erie initiative. She also led the department through multiple major disasters including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Christmas Blizzard.
